Declan Rice has revealed he is influenced by Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady.
The West Ham United player has been speaking about the Molineux star amid the international break, with the two players both currently in the England camp.
Coady started in a back four against San Marino on Thursday night for what was his fourth cap, with Rice an unused substitute.
Next up for the Three Lions is Albania this evening, and it remains to be seen if Coady will keep his place.
Clearly Gareth Southgate likes the 28-year-old, and it looks like the star is also very much admired by £60,000-a-week star Rice (Daily Star), who said (Evening Standard): “Conor, I have never actually been in a dressing room with him.
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“So to see him and see the impact he has on the squad on the team inside, it is people like him that you need in your changing room.
“Stuff like that I have taken away and tried to take to West Ham to add that to my game as well.”
Coady’s leadership qualities are well documented at this point, and the fact he has already worn the armband twice for England in his four appearances speaks volumes.
Coady an example to younger players
Rice probably won’t be the last person to make such comments about Coady.
He may not be the Premier League’s finest defender, but he generally does a good job for Wolves as the middle centre-back in a back three.
Very few players compare to Coady though in terms of being a captain and a leader.
How often he is complimented is a testament to his character, and it is great to hear how he inspires the players around him.