You can take the boy out of West Ham but you’ll never take West Ham out of the boy when it comes to Declan Rice as the former Hammers skipper sends an emotional and classy message to his old club.
Much has been written and said about Declan Rice pushing to join West Ham’s London rivals Arsenal instead of the likes of Man City.
Rice insisted he wanted to join the Gunners to compete for and win the top trophies in football.
That statement angered some Hammers fans who felt Arsenal were no guarantee of the silverware he craved.
Classy Rice sends relegation message to West Ham
While Arsenal have goaded West Ham about snatching away their beloved homegrown captain since his £105m switch to the Emirates three years ago, Hammers supporters have also been quick to point out Rice’s last major trophy was with them on that famous night in Prague.
Until last week that was.
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There was the ultimate vindication for Rice as Arsenal lifted the Premier League title and made the Champions League final while West Ham were relegated.
However, rather than say ‘I told you so’ or sneer at those who have jeered him since his move, the midfielder has showed complete and utter class.
Because Rice has sent an emotional message to West Ham after their relegation.
Footage emerged this week showing Rice slapping his hands together in anger and shaking his head in the moment he discovered West Ham had been relegated after Arsenal left the field at Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Now he has taken to Instagram to share his heartache at seeing his former club go down.
But Rice believes the Hammers will be back and says he will always be supporting them.
Rice insists West Ham will be back there’s not a dry eye in the house
“I’m absolutely gutted to see West Ham relegated,” Rice said on his Instagram Stories.
“A club that really does mean so much to me.
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“As I said before, I wouldn`t be where I am today without everything the club has done for me.
“With that being said, I have no doubt they will be back where they belong in the Premier League in no time.
“I will be supporting always,” Rice concluded along with a heart emoji.
This is top quality from Rice.
He could have just basked in his title glory and ignored what was going on at his old club.
That is now in Rice’s nature, though, and he has surely mended any wounds that might exist among bitter supporters with his clear love of the club.
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