Topics: West Ham United, Yaya Toure, Declan Rice, Premier League
Declan Rice was in a state of shock when former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure – a player he has idolised for years – walked into his home.
The 23-year-old West Ham captain has expressed his admiration for Toure in the past.
Last year, after he helped his side beat Leeds United, Rice explained that watching videos of Toure have inspired him to try and carry the ball into forward areas more.
"I’ve been watching the top players over the years, the Yaya Toures, the Vieiras," he told Sky Sports. "There’s a long way to go to get to that level.
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"But the way they used to carry the ball up the pitch and drive their teams forward is something I have been trying to learn and add to my game."
Rice is clearly a huge fan of Toure, who lifted three Premier League titles, four African Player of the Year awards and a Champions League during his trophy-laden career.
So when he finally met the Ivorian face-to-face recently, the England international was almost lost for words.
"One of the idols," he told GOAL's YouTube channel during their latest episode of Kit Collector. "That is someone I've based the game on massively. As you can see, I don't get starstruck very often.
"This is a legend. I can't believe I've got Yaya Toure in my house. It doesn't make any sense."
Here is that special moment.
Toure is also a big admirer of the highly-rated Rice. Back in April, he told the midfielder to quit West Ham for Champions League football.
"He's doing fantastically well," the Ivorian told StadiumAstro. "Maybe one more season but I think he should go to the first big club, one more step, Champions League team for example.
"With respect to West Ham, they're doing fantastically well... but if he wants to get on top of it, I think he should go to a Champions League team where he can make more impact.
"There he's going to improve and there he's going to be top."
He added: "Let's be honest about it because I really like him, I really respect him as a player. I've been seeing him growing since Pellegrini was the head coach of West Ham."
Do you think Rice needs to leave West Ham for pastures new next year? If so, who do you think he should join?
Let us know in the comments.
