Declan Rice is aiming to lead the England midfielder alongside Jude Bellingham for the next decade.
At 23, the West Ham captain is four years older than Bellingham but has already been suitably impressed by the third-youngest player in England history.
Given their respective ages, Rice and Bellingham, 19, could continue to establish themselves as a partnership at international level, especially if their recent form continues.
“When I played with Jude, I loved it,” Rice said ahead of the Nations League doubleheader against Italy and Germany.
“Obviously it takes time to bond with a partner, you’re not going to get that connection right away. But over time you do and even with all the other midfielders in the team, I hopefully we can continue for the next 10 years and create a special, special bond in midfield.
“I hope everyone is doing well because that’s what you need. You need a team and you need everyone there and you need to be ready whenever you are called.
As Bellingham impresses at Borussia Dortmund, Rice has witnessed his abilities up close.
“I think he’s energetic. He’s strong, confident, unafraid,” Rice told talkSPORT.
“He has everything at 19, you know, he’s a man, he’s already played on the big occasions.
“He’s ready to play, but obviously it’s up to the manager (Gareth Southgate) to choose what he thinks is best.”
Rice also believes he and Bellingham complement each other well on the pitch and thinks he can help bring the best out of the former Birmingham man.
“If I was playing next to Jude, obviously I’ve done that in a major tournament, I would just tell him to go and express himself.
“Go and do what he does best. Go take the ball and attack people, go chase people.
“If you lose the ball, don’t worry about it, go ahead and enjoy it and I’ll be there to defend for you.
“When you have a player like that you have to give him the luxury to get on the ball and express himself and he’s got that in there. He’s still only 19 – by the time he’s 22, 23 years, he is going to be amazing.”
