Dutch pundit says West Ham had Arsenal’s eyes out for Declan Rice after what he saw

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A Dutch former player turned pundit says West Ham had Arsenal’s eyes out for Declan Rice at £105m after what he saw.

Declan Rice signed off at West Ham by winning a European trophy before his £105m move to Arsenal.

But he ended his first season with the Gunners trophyless.

And there was more Euro final heartache for the ex Hammers captain turned Arsenal hero as England fell to a 2-1 defeat to Spain.

As has always been the case with Gareth Southgate’s England, the moment they face a top team they exit stage left.

When England made the last Euro final against Italy, Rice was West Ham’s talisman.

He was among the best players on the pitch that day, with the Italians admitting after the game they were shocked – and boosted – when he was substituted.

Euros final display puts Rice price in spotlight

By his own very high standards, West Ham’s academy graduate and now Arsenal fan favourite has been poor at this Euros.

Rice has uncharacteristically given the ball away far too often, unlike anything West Ham or Arsenal supporters have seen from him before.

Ahead of the final Rice said he was using his European win with West Ham as inspiration.

Hammers legend Tony Carr even sent the Arsenal midfielder an emotional message saying West Ham legend Bobby Moore would be proud of him.

“It was a no-brainer to sign you when Chelsea let you go,” Carr said.

“Even at 14, you looked people in the eye and understood the job asked of you. I was fortunate when I was a West Ham apprentice to know Bobby Moore, who had just won the World Cup.

“If Bobby was here now, he would be absolutely chuffed to see England in the final, and I’m sure he would tell you to go out and do what you’re good at.

“Bring it home, Declan!”

Dutch pundit says West Ham had Arsenal’s eyes out for Rice

But Rice endured a difficult night again, compounded when he missed two brilliant opportunities to equalise at the death.

His performances have drawn criticism from some quarters.

And Arsenal fans have found themselves having to defend their midfield enforcer – just like West Ham fans used to when questions were raised over what he brings to the team.

Now a Dutch pundit says West Ham had Arsenal’s eyes out for Rice after what he saw.

Former Spurs, Real Madrid and Holland star Rafael van der Vaart has blasted Rice.

Van der Vaart says the midfielder is ‘useless’ and not worth the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham for his signature last summer.

Van der Vaart slams ‘useless’ Rice

“£100m (plus) for Declan Rice, what does he do?” Van der Vaart said.

“He comes to collect a ball only to pass it back to John Stones.

“He is useless.

“If you are truly worth £100m, then you should be able to play a ball forward.”

Of course Rice is far from useless.

This is a classic case of a pundit not appreciating Rice’s role.

Southgate doesn’t help with his use of the former Hammer turned Arsenal star.

Van der Vaart is not alone in his opinion on Rice, though.

In an ideal world Rice would have stayed at West Ham for the rest of his career.

But perhaps the Hammers are fortunate they sold him for the price they did last summer as getting that kind of money after this Euros may have been a tough ask.

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