Declan Rice faces a big new threat and it could pile the pressure on West Ham United to qualify for Europe.
Pull the other one Jurgen as Klopp snubs West Ham
Rice is the first name on David Moyes’s teamsheet at West Ham.
The 22-year-old has grown into one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League and indeed Europe.
The Hammers hero has also established himself as a key part of Gareth Southgate’s England side.
Rice the central figure for club and country
And there were no surprises when Rice was called up alongside West Ham teammate Jesse Lingard for the Three Lions yesterday.
Particularly given he has been driving West Ham to what promises to be the club’s best season for 35 years.
The Hammers are right in the mix for the European places. If Rice and his West Ham teammates beat Arsenal at the weekend they will go level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea with nine games to go.
For many West Ham observers that achievement would be a huge bonus.
But a big new threat has emerged for Rice which could pile the pressure on West Ham to secure one of the European spots.
Dec faces big new threat from new kid on the block if Southgate bows to pressure on midfield make-up
His name is Jude Bellingham.
The former Birmingham prodigy has been outstanding in central midfield for Borussia Dortmund this season.
Playing in the same role as Rice, Bellingham has been central to Dortmund’s Champions League success despite his tender age of 17.
Like Rice, Bellingham reads the game brilliantly and breaks up the play before surging forward to set up attacks.
If England play two holding midfielders then Rice and Bellingham could forge an amazing partnership.
But if – as is expected – Southgate bows to pressure and opts for just one defensive minded midfielder to accommodate England’s vast array of attacking talent then Rice and West Ham could have a problem going forward.
West Ham under pressure to make Europe to keep ambitious Rice happy, especially if it is key to his England spot
Because not only has Southgate called up Bellingham at just 17 and sung his praises, he has also referenced the fact he is playing Champions League football when explaining his selections on Thursday (Sky Sports).
It looks likely that Bellingham will not be able to join up with England for this international break due to Covid quarantine implications.
He is clearly someone Southgate rates highly, though, and will undoubtedly feature in future squads.
If West Ham fall short in their bid for Europe Moyes will still have done a fantastic job.
But if Rice feels his place might come under threat from Bellingham due to his lack of involvement in European football then he may be forced to consider his future.
Moyes has already admitted he and West Ham must show Rice they can match his ambition to keep him at the club (The Mirror).
ExWHUemployee delivers verdict on danger of West Ham losing ‘tempted’ Moyes to Celtic
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
