Jack Wilshere has told talkSPORT that he believes Declan Rice is capable of playing alongside the world's best footballers.

The former West Ham man played alongside Rice during his time at the London Stadium between 2018-2020.

Wilshere and Rice played together at West Ham

Wilshere joined talkSPORT Drive on Thursday and said of the 22-year-old: "The thing with Dec is he can cover the ground in midfield.

"So you think about the top teams in Europe with the front three that do what they want.

"So let's say PSG - Neymar, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe.

"They can do what they want up there and Dec will cover them from behind.

Rice used Messi, Neymar and Mbappe as an example of the type of world class front line for which Rice could offer midfield cover

"So I could imagine him in a team like that. It's a big shout, I know, but I think he's got the ability and the temperament to go that far."

Wilshere added: "'Mr West Ham' Mark Noble is leaving, this is his last year - Dec is the next sort of 'Mr West Ham', isn't he?

"West Ham fans will be desperate to keep hold of him.

"I've got friends who are West Ham fans and they worship him, they can't think about him leaving.

West Ham will not want to let go of their star man

"They're doing everything they can to keep him because they're in Europe now.

"They probably need to make that next step into the Champions League which will be difficult, especially when they've got so many games with the Europa League this year.

"But apart from that I don't see him- I mean, he'll wanna go on and challenge for the Premier League."