West Ham United assistant manager Stuart Pearce has responded to speculation over Declan Rice’s future.
Rice is West Ham’s talisman and David Moyes has made it clear he wants to build the team – and indeed the club – around him.
The 22-year-old still has three years and the option of another year left on his current deal at the London Stadium.
Rice has been West Ham’s best and most consistent player over the past two or three years.
Rice linked with Hammers departure after ‘contract snubs’
As a result he has established himself as a starter in the England team and attracted the attention of the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.
But there was bad news for West Ham fans on Thursday after The Telegraph ran an exclusive claiming Rice has turned down two offers of new contracts from the Hammers.
And he has reportedly asked the club to keep him informed of any bids.
West Ham insider ExWHUemployee backed up The Telegraph’s claims this afternoon.
But now West Ham assistant manager Pearce has spoken out about Rice’s future in an interview on talkSPORT.
And the former Hammer of the Year insists he sees Rice’s immediate future at the London Stadium where he ‘enjoys coming into work every day’.
Pearce responds to speculation over Rice’s West Ham future
“He’s an absolute dream to work with, always got a smile on his face – a little bit daft – but no brilliant to work with, great kid,” Pearce said on talkSPORT Euro Drive on Thursday evening.
“He wants to get better at his job and listen when Mark Noble’s not in the team, he captains the team as well at a very young age which is great credit to him…
“Listen he’s got everything in front of him I think and the most important thing is he’s got improvement as well… We think there’s more and more development in him and the beauty of Dec is we feel he’s got the ability to improve as well…
“I’d probably equate it to myself in many ways,” Pearce said when asked about West Ham’s prospect of keeping hold of a clearly world class player when Champions League regulars come calling.
“I stayed at Nottingham Forest because A) I enjoyed the working environment, I thought I was working for a top manager. Great interaction with the fans and also as well I was enjoying international football while playing for my club.
‘I think he loves driving West Ham forward I really do’
“I see a lot of comparisons in many ways between Declan’s path as well. He’s very well thought of at West Ham, he’s captain and he seems to enjoy A) the dressing room and being part of the dressing room – he’s fantastic fun around the place and he enjoys football.
“To actually come into work and actually enjoy where you work, sometimes that’s quite powerful you know? Wherever he goes and plays his football in the future, that’s the way things are in the modern day game but at this moment in time I think he loves driving West Ham forward I really do.
“He’s taken a massive part in pushing West Ham into European football this year which is great credit to him. For quite a while this season as well we were in a Champions League place or certainly touching it so listen as long as he’s enjoying his football and is coming into work with a smile on his face, I think that’s brilliant for club and country.”
In other West Ham news, the first team are back for the start of pre-season training tomorrow and insider ExWHUemployee has lifted the lid on the club’s plans.