Rice has been vital in West Ham United’s push for a top-four spot this term, playing every minute in all of the Hammers’ Premier League games this season.
The West Ham midfielder was recently called up to the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers and featured in England’s 2-0 victory over Albania last weekend.
The 22-year-old, having developed into an integral component of both the England and West Ham midfields, has revealed his admiration for legendary former Manchester City midfielder Toure.
In terms of range of passing and recognising space, Rice stated that there were none better than the former Premier League and Champions League winner as the West Ham star admitted to studying him.
“If there is one thing that I could say that I have improved on the most this season it would be trying to take the team up the pitch a bit with the ball”, Rice was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
“I think as a midfielder you always get labelled for always just passing it, keeping the ball moving and doing the dirty work.
“I don’t want to just be labelled as that.
“Yaya Toure is the one I’ve studied.
“I think he was probably the best at that, recognising when to pass and play short balls.
“Also recognising when there was space, to step into it and drive the team up the pitch.”
After having started in five of England’s last seven internationals, Rice will look to keep his place in the Three Lions starting eleven for the World Cup qualifier against Poland this evening.
