Jamie Carragher has compared Arsenal sensation Declan Rice to Roy Keane.

Rice, 24, signed from West Ham in the summer for an at-the-time British record transfer fee of £105million. Such has been the central midfielder’s immediate impact this season that many now consider the price-tag a bargain.

The England international has left both fans and pundits in awe with his high work rate, inch-perfect tackling and last minute winners – scoring decisive goals against Manchester United and Luton Town at the death.

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Sky Sports pundit and Liverpool legend Carragher appears to have been wholly convinced by Rice’s performances. He not only sung the midfielder’s praises in a column for The Telegraph, but went on to mark similarities in his play with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, who is regarded as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.

Carragher said: “I feel the same way about Rice that I felt about Roy Keane when he joined Manchester United for a British record fee in 1993. He has been probably the most influential player in the Premier League this season and, every time I watch him, he reminds me of Keane.

“He has that same presence, and he has a passing ability that is incredibly underrated. When you think of the great midfielders of the past, they all had an aura on the pitch. Keane had it, and so did players like Graeme Souness and Bryan Robson. I see those same qualities in Rice, who could be the difference for Arsenal this season as they challenge for the title.”

As if he hadn’t spoken of Rice glowingly enough, Carragher went on to say that he is a better player than Rodri, who was at the heart of Manchester City’s Treble success last season.

Do you think Declan Rice is better than Rodri? Let us know in the comments section.

He added: “There is no bigger compliment I can give to Rice than this: I would rather have him in my team than Rodri. He is a brilliant player, but I would still rather have Rice.”

Fans on social media thought it was a step too far, responding to Carragher’s comments with: “Rodri who won a treble? Scored in the Champions League final? City fall apart whenever Rodri isn't in the team, absolute nonsense Rice is better,” and: “Nowhere near Rodri.”

Others replied: “Too much hyping,” and: “He’s excellent, but Rodri is a league above Rice.”

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