Sergio Aguero makes claim over West Ham star Declan Rice

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero believes West Ham star Declan Rice is at the ‘same level’ with Rodri as one of the best midfielders on the planet right now.

Rice has established himself as one of the most consistent players in the Premier League and a regular for England over the past four seasons.

His form for West Ham and the Three Lions has attracted attention from Premier League rivals Man United and Chelsea.

Aguero can understand the interest in Rice and says the 23-year-old is as good as Barcelona midfielder Busquets, Manchester City star Rodri and Manchester United summer signing Casemiro.

‘For me he is a great player and is at the same level as the best midfielders like Busquets, Rodri and Casemiro,’ Aguero said of Rice in an interview with Stake.

‘It seems to me that he is valued. What happens is that with him not being in a ‘Big Six’ team, he does not get talked about as much.

‘But he has proven himself and I think he is one of the strengths of the England team at the World Cup.’

Rice is currently in Qatar with England as they prepare for the World Cup and Manchester City hero Aguero has praised Gareth Southgate’s squad.

England are bidding to go one better and lift silverware this winter, having reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.

When pressed on England’s chances, Aguero added: “I think they have a team to get excited about. They could not win the Euros, but they showed in that tournament that they are a team to be feared.”