OPINION
When a young player breaks on to the scene at any club, excitement goes through the roof with fans praising their academy systems – which has definitely been the case at West Ham and Declan Rice.
Alongside this joy can come a nervousness that their top talents could not stick around for long with clubs queuing for their signatures come the summer.
This applies perfectly to the Hammers and Rice – who has enjoyed a great start to his career in midfield and has attracted the interest of top Premier League clubs. Rice, has enjoyed a great two years in West Ham’s midfield alongside Mark Noble and has recently broke into the England set up, making his debut in March.
Rice, 20, has seen the Independent link him with a move to Manchester United, who seemed determined to get their man, but the England international recently signed a five-year-deal this season to keep him at the London Stadium.
When recently asked about his future by talkSPORT, Rice said: “So my focus is fully on playing for West Ham. I’ve got a great connection with the fans; the fans love me and I love them and that’s the way it is at the moment. I’m not thinking about anything else, for sure.”
Hammers fans will love this quote from Rice who at only 20-years-old has quickly become at hero at West Ham and in years to come could certainly be the next captain at the club, regardless of his age.
In his 34 appearances in the Premier League under Manuel Pellegrini, Rice has scored twice and has quickly become a mainstay who the Chilean will want to build his future sides around.
Should West Ham be able to keep hold of Rice, it will be a massive signal of intent and he could really start to push his club towards European football.