Declan Rice has heaped praise on Blackburn Rovers Academy star Adam Wharton after his inclusion in the England squad for the European Championships.

The Crystal Palace midfielder has enjoyed a meteoric rise since leaving Ewood Park in January, earning his first Three Lions call-up. His 30-minute cameo, on debut, was enough to convince Gareth Southgate to include him in the group for Germany.

Wharton has impressed the England coaching team but also his new team-mates, showcasing the qualities Rovers fans have seen so often in the past two years.

Arsenal star Rice was particularly complimentary of Wharton, labelling him as a midfielder for the next decade. He waxed lyrical about the 'crispness' of his passing and the impression he's made in training.

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“He’s been outstanding,” Rice explained.

"In training, he impressed a lot of the players. He’s so composed and calm on the ball. He played his first half of the season in the Championship, he’s [come into the England team] from Crystal Palace now.

“I think there's a difference you can see between players that are top-level players at 20, and players that are just on the cusp of stuff.

“And he's top-level, he's really, really top-level. At 20 years old, he sees a pass early, left and right foot. It's impressive the way he passes the ball, whether it's only five or ten yards, there's just a crispness to it that's really impressive.

“He's really calm, composed, and relaxed. You speak to the Crystal Palace boys about him, he's shocked them with how well he's done. But look, he's 20 years old, this is his first tournament.

"And all round, just a really down-to-earth boy who wants to learn. He's still obviously only 20 years old, but to be on the plane to go to his first European Championships, what a moment for him and his family and I know he's one who won't take it for granted.

“You know, he'll be ready when called upon. I think you see the other night how composed he is and he's ready for the big stage. I think he's one of them that doesn't get fazed by big things. 

“It's so important we don't put too much pressure on him, let's just let him flourish. England have an amazing midfielder that's going to come through, I'm sure, for the next 10, 15 years.”

Wharton could make his first start for England on Friday night when they host Iceland at Wembley in what will be their final match before flying to Germany.