Dec's Value Rockets

England expects is the sort of burden players have suffered from in the past when it comes to playing the actual tournaments rather than the qualifying, but this England team is exactly that, a team. Instead of a disparate set of players in cliques from their clubs, there is a genuine feeling of team spirit, and at the centre, literally, was Declan Rice.

Rice put in a superb performance, no thrills, just the 'ugly' stuff that doesn't really get noticed, but Declan's contribution drew a special mention and high praise from ex-Hammer Rio Ferdinand, and he knows a thing or two about defending. "‘I was very impressed with the patience of this team from back to front. I thought Declan Rice in front of the back four was superb in his positions, cutting out crosses, getting in great positions to cut the lines into the strikers." Rio told BBC viewers as he summed up the match.

What was really encouraging from the Hammers captain was how calm and cool he looked, even in the 'furnace' that was Wembley this afternoon. He went about his role efficiently and with no dramas or mistakes, the only criticism that could be made was that he didn't move forward more, but the security he provided for the other players enabled them to push forward, safe in the knowledge that he would be there to pick up the pieces if necessary.

The fact that fellow 'elite' professionals, and the International team's manager Gareth Southgate, have so much faith in Declan Rice goes to show how highly regarded he is at such a young age. Bobby Moore he isn't, but he holds his head high and never seems flustered just like the great man.

The timing of David Moyes signing his new contract, just before the start of the Euro's, couldn't have come at a better time, and may have taken on even more significance due to his close relationship with Rice. Having Moyes firmly in place will help fend off the top teams who will inevitably be wanting to tempt Hammers resolve for keeping their prized asset with large offers.

Retaining Moyes and Declan Rice are two of the key elements of what could be an exciting era at the London Stadium, one thing for sure is that if Dec keeps performing at the same level throughout the tournament, his value will sky rocket from the high, to the stratospheric! - Ed