Rice, Rice Baby

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Declan Rice represents West Ham United in the Premier League as a defensive midfielder or centre-back. Rice, who is of Irish heritage, was born in England. Before switching allegiance to England in 2019, he had previously represented the Republic of Ireland on an international level at both the junior and senior levels. He was born in Kingston upon Thames and entered Chelsea’s academy as a seven-year-old in 2006. He joined West Ham United’s academy in 2014, after being released at the age of 14.

It is no secret that most of the top Premier League clubs are interested in signing Rice, and he has already been at Chelsea. Many believe they could be the favourite in the football odds to win the battle for his signature. He knows the club and will know some of the staff and the setup, and a move across London would mean not much upheaval for the young midfielder.

On the final day of the 2016–17 Premier League season, he made his senior debut against Burnley, coming on as a 91st-minute substitute for Edimilson Fernandes in a 2–1 away win, just five days after captaining the under-23s to promotion with a 2–1 win at Newcastle United. On August 19, 2017, he made his full senior debut against Southampton in a 3–2 defeat. Rice was in second place behind Marko Arnautovi for the 2017–18 Hammer of the Year award in April 2018. He made his 50th appearance for West Ham on December 22, becoming the first player since Michael Carrick to accomplish such an illustrious record while still a teenager.

Rice was added to the PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist on April 20, 2019, but the award was subsequently won by Rice’s England teammate Raheem Sterling on April 28. In addition, he was voted the Players’ Player of the Year and earned the award for Individual Performance of the Season for his match-winning performance against Arsenal at the end of the 2018–19 season, as well as being named the Young Hammer of the Year for the third consecutive season. Rice is the vice-captain of West Ham United as of 2021.

The Daily Mail reports that the 22-year-old has turned down two contract offers from his club, implying that a move away from the London Stadium is possible. The midfielder’s current deal expires in three years, with a one-year extension option, but the Blues have shown plenty of interest in him as they aim to bolster their midfield. Rice’s versatility allows him to play as a holding midfielder or a centre-back, and he has named N’Golo Kante as one of his favourite players to watch. ‘In my position, the major one I’ve always watched is Kante,’ he stated a few months back. 

Declan Rice is being courted by Mason Mount, who is doing everything he can to persuade him to join Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel is a major fan of the West Ham midfielder, and he has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. Chelsea are the favourites to sign him, but West Ham has stated that their greatest asset is not for sale, despite David Moyes’ valuation of him at £100 million. Rice, who has been a standout for England at Euro 2020, helping the Three Lions reach the semi-finals with a 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine, is pals with Mount, who had a successful season with Chelsea, winning the Champions League.

Mount seemed to be keen on his boyhood pal joining the Blues, as he FaceTimed Rice to show him his winner’s medal following their historic win in Porto in May. According to the article, the 22-year-old wanted to remind Rice of the benefits of playing for a big European team. Manchester City appeared to be in pole position to sign him last season, but their top goal this window seems to be signing a new striker as they continue to pursue Tottenham’s, Harry Kane. City also extended Fernandinho’s contract for another year, indicating that they will not seek a transfer for Rice this summer.

The move seems slightly odd to me as Chelsea seemingly have a wealth of talent in this particular position. There is arguably nobody better in this position than Kante, while Jorginho has been a star player for Italy in the European Championships. They also have Kovacic, who is a decent backup for those two. Perhaps Thomas Tuchel wants more of a physical presence in the centre of his midfield and to add some height. 

The move or even the speculation of the move condemns the fate of Danny Drinkwater, who hasn’t set the world alight at Chelsea, as he seems set to leave the club in the summer.

A deal for Rice would have to wait until the end of the European Championships, and his mind will be fully committed to the upcoming Semi-Final clash with Denmark.