Teddy Sheringham insists Declan Rice will make any team he joins over the summer better

Teddy Sheringham has insisted Declan Rice can become “an absolute world champion”.

The midfielder shone again on Thursday as England put on an impressive display to defeat Italy in the opener of their Euro 2024 qualifiers in Naples.

He had effectively been branded from restricted sports mail Columnist Graeme Souness, who the player himself described as “harsh”.

Rice is currently in a relegation battle with West Ham in the Premier League but looks set to move on in the summer transfer window.

Speaking of TalkSportformer England striker Sheringham insisted Rice will make anyone he signs better.

Teddy Sheringham has insisted Declan Rice can be a “world hitter” if he adds goals to his game

Rice scored the opener for England on Thursday night in Naples against Italy

Sheringham added that Rice will improve any team he joins when he eventually leaves West Ham

“When you talk about top players, you pit them against other top players,” Sheringham began. “The complete midfielder could defend, attack, run forward but also score goals.

“Wherever he goes, he will make this team a better team. Maybe Casemiro is in that role at Manchester United so maybe they don’t need him but he would definitely make Arsenal a better team.

“I don’t like to say it because they’re good enough already this season and I don’t want Declan to go there because they’re good enough already, but he could go on any team for me.”

Sheringham added that Rice just needs to add goals to his game.

Rice impressed during England’s win over Italy as his shares continue to rise

He led the celebrations full-time as England got off to a perfect start on their qualifying campaign

He said: “If you add a couple of goals to Declan’s game, not a couple but six or seven with what he’s got at the moment, you’re roughly assuming an absolute world champion of a player.”

Souness, meanwhile, wrote in his Daily Mail column in February that Rice only has one of his essential components as a central midfielder.

“This role is an important part of any team because in an ideal world, it’s multidimensional,” he said. “You are creative, you score goals and you always have a defensive mind.

“If you have all three qualities, you are worth your weight in gold. For me, Rice only has one of them.

“Judge him on the defensive aspect alone and you’d have to say he’s the best in the country at that position. When it comes to the other two important aspects of a central midfielder, I think Rice falls a bit short. Take that into account and I have to say he’s not the best in that position.

Sportsmail columnist and ex-Liverpool star Souness (pictured) effectively dubbed Rice Limited

Rice responded to Souness earlier this week, branding the comments “harsh.”

He said: “There’s loads of West Ham fans, 60,000 go every week, they see what I’m doing.

“But Souness was a player and when someone like him speaks, sometimes you have to listen and consider where you can improve if that’s true.”

Rice scored England’s second goal in Thursday night’s win over Italy.