According to a report from the Athletic, West Ham are concerned that Chelsea will come back in for Declan Rice in January.
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The 21-year-old, who earns £60k-a-week according to the Daily Star, has been the Hammers best player over the past two years or so. His consistency really has been incredible for someone so young.
And we should consider ourselves very lucky to have him.
Rice’s fine form over the past two seasons has clearly not gone unnoticed, however.
Chelsea Boss Frank Lampard was heavily linked with a move for the England international throughout the entire summer (The Telegraph).
West Ham eventually kept hold of the 21-year-old.
But the Athletic now claim that the powers that be at West Ham are worried about losing their prized asset to the Blues in the summer.
It is suggested that the Hammers fear that if Chelsea move on one or two players this summer, they will move heaven and earth to bring Rice to Stamford Bridge.
It is little wonder why West Ham are fearful of Rice leaving the London Stadium in January. He is so important to the way in which David Moyes’s side play.
Stats
In 106 Premier League games for the Hammers, the 21-year-old has racked up 263 tackles, 15 blocks, 173 interceptions, 184 clearances and 724 ball recoveries (premierleague.com).
Rice is an all action star and he will undoubtedly continue to get better and better as time goes on.
Let’s hope that our owners dig their heels in with regards to Declan. The defensive midfielder is absolutely indispensable to us.
And West Ham must do everything within their power to keep him in east London for the foreseeable future.
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