OPINION
West Ham wonderkid Declan Rice will make his first start for England tonight, according to Sky journalist Rob Dorsett, and it marks yet another astonishing moment in the 20-year-old’s career.
The news comes less than two weeks after it was confirmed that he would make the move from the Republic of Ireland set-up to England.
Rice only broke through into the West Ham senior side in the 17/18 season, but since then his rise has been meteoric and it’s included being linked with a move to Man City as a replacement for Fernandinho.
Rice signed a new long-term contract with West Ham in December but, while it seems almost inconceivable now, the Hammers took their time working the deal out and put offers to Rice that he rejected.
According to the Express, the player who was on just £3k-a-week, turned down offers including one for £15,000-a-week, a tiny sum for a player of his capabilities.
Thankfully for West Ham, it was sorted out, and while Rice may well leave for a bigger club in the future, the Hammers should get a massive fee for him if and when they sell.
In the meantime, West Ham fans can look forward to watching Rice start for England, along with Chelsea wonderkid Callum Hudson-Odoi, and with players like this in the England side, the future under Gareth Southgate is looking very bright indeed.
Rice is a world-class talent. The West Ham fans already know it and the rest of the country should think the same after seeing him at the heart of the new England side. The news really should get West Ham fans singing from the rooftops tonight, but it’s an exciting moment for the player and for England supporters too.
#whufc Declan Rice will make his first England start tonight, less than a fortnight after receiving the paperwork from FIFA to switch allegiances from #roi to #england. Hudson-Odoi and Rice both to start then – real show of faith from Southgate.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) March 25, 2019