West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini says Declan Rice has bigger potential than Barcelona hero Javier Mascherano.

While Lanzini says his young West Ham teammate still has plenty of work to do to reach the same level as the man who won 147 international caps, five La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns, he believes the 20-year-old has the talent, character and ability to follow in his illustrious footsteps.

“Declan for me is the hero of the team," Lanzini told whufc.com.

He lined up alongside Mascherano for Argentina in a friendly against Haiti in May last year.

“He is a very young player, but it is as if he has played 200 games. He is amazing.

“I like to play with him because he has good touch, he has good recovery, I think he is one of the best players in the Premier League.

“He is [like Javier Mascherano]. I played with Mascherano and he is a very good player. He is 20 and I think Declan needs to continue like this, if he stays focused and I think he can be better than Mascherano."