Jamie Redknapp has claimed “a lot of clubs will be sniffing” around West Ham contract rebel Declan Rice.
Writing in his weekly Daily Mail column, the high profile pundit was blown away by the Republic of Ireland international’s display for the Hammers in their goalless draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
Rice, 19, played the full 90 minutes of the match at the London Stadium as he built upon the excellent impression he made in midfield against Everton the previous weekend.
“Declan Rice has been crucial to West Ham’s upturn in form,” Redknapp wrote in the Mail. “While I believe he will spend most of his career at centre back, playing in midfield is sharpening him up and improving his passing. He has given West Ham a physical presence in the middle.
“A lot of clubs will be sniffing around Rice. He also has to choose whether to play for England or the Republic of Ireland. He has some tough decisions on the horizon.”
OPINION
West Ham have known it for some time. They have a serious talent on their hands in Rice. The more he produces startling mature performances like he did against Chelsea and Everton, the tougher it will be for the Hammers to hold on to the player they prised from Stamford Bridge when he was 16. Rice is out of contract next summer and West Ham have offered him a new deal on terms that have not satisfied the player and his camp. Talk of a deal worth £30,000-a-week if certain bonus clauses are met is already appearing quite quaint for a player who looks better equipped to play in the central midfield battleground than marquee summer signings Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez. What makes Rice special is that he is eventually expected to become a centre-back. Athletic, mobile, strong in the air and in the tackle, the teenager senses danger and makes smart decisions, in and out of possession. West Ham must recognise the asset on their hands.