It’s time for Declan Rice to move on from the Hammers

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Declan Rice’s rise in the Premier League from failed Chelsea academy prospect to West Ham’s most important player and captain, has the biggest clubs in England ready to break the bank at the end of the season.

Rice was released from Chelsea’s academy at the age of 15, moving from Stamford Bridge to the Hammers in East London. This move has placed the midfielder amongst Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Mohammed Salah as those who could not make it at Chelsea, but became some of the best players in the Premier League.

A 24-year-old, Rice has developed from a young, rough midfielder with energy and attitude, into a full-time England international and Premier League star, being awarded the West Ham Player of the year four times since his debut season in 2016/17. He has also been named in the Europa League Team of the Season in 2021/22 after West Ham’s run to the semi-finals.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been strongly linked to the Hammers captain, and it is easy to understand why. Rice has played nearly 250 games at the highest level, just short of 200 appearances in the Premier League and more than 40 caps for England. He is respected and praised highly.

West Ham have previously priced out the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal from signing the midfielder, but with just one year left on his contract at the end of this season, it is tough to imagine how he stays at the Olympic Stadium.

Arsenal are most publicly linked with Rice, with the midfielder’s versatility, leadership, and ability to fit into Arteta’s system, making him an ideal prospect for the squad to upgrade their weakest area and push on to compete for the title again next season.

Despite West Ham’s and Declan Rice’s underwhelming season in a relegation battle, the midfielder is still their prized asset. David Moyes will be reluctant to let go of their most important player without a replacement of a similar quality, and most importantly, if they cannot get the right price.

Photo; twitter @DeadlineDayLive

 

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Dylan Johnson