DECLAN RICE can’t wait to face Toni Kroos on Tuesday night after their love on Twitter earlier this year.
The West Ham midfielder revealed his admiration for the Germany stalwart on social media in April.
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Declan Rice enjoys the opportunity to face ‘world class’ Toni Kroos Credit: The Sun
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England train at St George’s Park before taking on Germany on TuesdayCredit: PA
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Rice was full of admiration for Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos on TwitterCredit: Alamy
Muller has to be up there as one of the most underrated players of all time. Serious footballer ????
– Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) August 23, 2020
And Kroos responded to Rice’s kind words on social media right after Real Madrid’s win over Liverpool in the Champions League.
Rice tweeted in April: “Seeing Toni Kroos is so special.”
And the Real Madrid midfielder said “thank you mate” in appreciation of Rice’s position.
The pair will meet on Tuesday night at Wembley in the round of 16 of Euro 2020.
In a previous post, Rice also praised Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller.
He tweeted after the 2020 Champions League final: ‘Muller has to be there as one of the most underrated players of all time! Serious footballer ».
And Rice said Friday: “I can’t remember what my tweet actually was, but I woke up saying ‘thank you buddy.’
“It was a good time to be fair and the West Ham guys were giving me a bit for it.
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«When there are important games and you are watching, you appreciate the best footballers. Obviously that night I felt the need to say (what I did) about Muller and Toni Kroos.
«I am enjoying going out and facing the best. It’s England versus Germany, round of 16, at Wembley, it’s going to be correct so I have to go out there and give a solid performance myself and as a team.
“Kroos is world class, other midfielders like me want to put ourselves to the test. But we have to impose the game and be physical with it and prevent it from spraying the field.
England trained on Friday before their gigantic showdown with rivals Germany on Tuesday.
Gareth Southgate’s men seemed relaxed in St George’s Park as they intensified their preparations.
Rice added: ‘What is there really to fear? Obviously, they are great players, but it is a soccer game.
«It’s 90 minutes, we have players who can win games against us and they have players who can also win them.
“It’s going to be a battle royale, but one that we’re going to be prepared for and we’re really positive and ready.”
England star Declan Rice handed over a mask to chat with Czech West Ham teammates
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