Hal Robson-Kanu has claimed live on TalkSPORT that Declan Rice has to leave West Ham United to progress his game.
Rice’s future has long been a topic of discussion as he’s standing out in a West Ham side currently fighting against relegation and has now established himself as a regular in the England side under Gareth Southgate.
The midfielder was offered a blockbuster new contract earlier in the year, which was seemingly rejected out of hand and Rice’s current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2024, which could force the Hammers into a sale next summer to extract the most money from him.
Robson-Kanu has now spoken live on air about how Rice has to leave West Ham because he is too comfortable within the team.
He said: “For Rice to do that [do more than just break up the play] he needs to move to a big club, for me.
“You can see the way he plays for England he moves the ball and again, don’t underestimate the difficulty in always being available and moving the ball quickly, shifting the ball.
Will Rice be sold next summer?
Yes!
No!
“But in terms of the opportunity to break the lines and not necessarily having the confidence, but the expectation that every time you get on the ball, the first thought is forwards, I think he’s probably a bit comfortable in that West Ham team, and for him to go to that next level, he needs to progress in terms of club level because then that’s the expectation.”
TIF Thoughts on Rice’s future…
It would undoubtedly be a major blow for West Ham if they were to lose Rice, however, there has been so much talk and speculation that it may also come as a blessing in disguise to finally be rid of all the noise.
If and when Rice does indeed leave West Ham, the Hammers must ensure they get as much money as possible for a player they have trained and nurtured after being rejected by Chelsea – a team linked with signing him in the future.
Given that Rice already rejected a new contract which would have made him the club’s highest-paid player ever, there appears to be next to no hope of him extending his stay at the London Stadium.