Kieran Tripper thinks Declan Rice is better than Manchester United star Casemiro and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey with Red Devils linked with transfer for West Ham captain

Kieran Trippier lauded England teammate Declan Rice and thinks he is better than Thomas Partey and Casemiro.

The West Ham midfielder’s future has been the subject of intense speculation with both Manchester United and Arsenal interested, along with Chelsea.

talkSPORT revealed this week that United had a £100million bid turned down by the Hammers, while the Gunners retain transfer interest this summer.

Trippier plays with Rice for England and also lined-up alongside Partey at Atletico Madrid, while also faced Casemiro in Spain.

The Arsenal and United pair are regarded as the top two central midfielders in the Premier League right now.

However, Trippier thinks Rice is better than both of them.

When asked by Rio Ferdinand on his Vibe with Five podcast over who he’d pick out of Rice and Partey, Trippier said: “Declan. Declan’s unbelievable. 

“I don’t know if you watched the game the other day when [Newcastle] played West Ham, but just his intelligence, the way he breaks up play and how he travels with it, and how powerful he is. Unbelievable, probably one of the best in the world at what he does.

Tripper was then quizzed if he’d take Rice over Casemiro and he replied: “Yeah.”

When pressed for further detail, he continued: “As defenders like me or yourself, you appreciate a Michael Carrick, or what Declan does,’ Trippier said, addressing Ferdinand.

“So it makes your job easier when they’re just mopping everything up. Don’t get me wrong, Casemiro, the trophies he’s won, the Champions Leagues, he’s a world-class player, but if you’re talking right now, Decs is incredible.”