West Ham captain Declan Rice has heaped praise on new signing Lucas Paqueta following the Brazilians first start for our Irons on Sunday.

The match against Chelsea ended in a 2-1 defeat following a controversial call by the officials to rule out a late equaliser by Max Cornet, however a positive from the match was having new record signing Paqueta in the starting 11 for David Moyes’ side.

Hammers captain Rice was delighted to see Paqueta in action and has very high hopes for the impact he will have going forward.

“He is a top player,” Rice told the clubs Official Website. “We would have liked to have got him on the ball more.

“But I thought for his second game, the way he integrated with the team and showed his confidence, he is going to be a real special player for us.”

Rice was however understandably furious with decision to rule out a deserved equaliser, however didn’t want to dwell and would rather focus on the positives.

“The least we could have come away with was a point – if not three points,” added  We are gutted but that is football,” added

“It is not the start of the season we would have wanted considering where we are in the table, but things are starting to turn; you can feel it.

“There is a confidence within the place. The lads are ready to go again, and we will be ready for Europe on Thursday and for Newcastle on Sunday.”