Fonte who won the Ligue 1 title with Lille last term admitted that he ‘never seen’ Rice dominating the midfield during his time at West Ham, and his success in that position is ‘surprising’.
Rice has been exceptional for both club and country, having impressed with Engalnd during the Euro 2020 as the Three Lions were defeated by Italy on penalties in the final.
The England international has been on the wishlists of top Premier League clubs but West Ham are unwilling to offload him.
Being impressed with how Rice has developed to become a main prospect for the Hammers in midfield, Fonte who once played for the club said of the 22-year-old.
“Incredible potential,” said Fonte. “Everybody acknowledged that he had the potential to go all the way. He was just trying to break into the squad.
“He used to be a centre-back. He trained for us and he would be a centre-back. I never seen him and didn’t expect him to be a midfielder.
“When he started to play consistently in the midfield, and doing so well, he was kind of surprising.
“At centre-back, he was great. I already said that, as a centre-back he has a future already. But fantastic for him, so pleased for Declan, he’s such a great professional, hard-working player and he deserved all the credit that he is getting.”
Rice has played 7 games for West Ham in the Premier League and two appearances with 2 goals in the Europa League this season.
