One of England’s best midfielders has reportedly been put on the market. West Ham United manager David Moyes has confirmed that there is a “good chance” Declan Rice leaves in the summer.
Since breaking into the first-team Rice’s progress has been astonishing. Let go by Chelsea in his youth, Rice has transformed himself into an all-action leader in the middle of the park. Still aged just 24, with his contract expiring in 2024 with an option to extend it by a year, the Hammers are making plans to sell him and get the maximum possible fee for him.
It is likely that Rice remains in the Premier League. There are several top-six clubs that could use a midfielder of Rice’s calibre. Add to it his Premier League pedigree, leadership qualities, and ever-improving game, Declan Rice will be a huge asset to whichever team he joins.
Here are 3 potential choices on what Declan Rice’s next club could be-
Declan Rice next club
Manchester United
The Red Devils have other priority positions to cover in the transfer market. However, the midfield is one area where they are still lacking. The trio of Casemiro-Fernandes-Eriksen has been running on fumes this season, mainly due to a lack of options beyond them.
Declan Rice would instantly add a bit of steel and guile to this midfield. Casemiro is still world-class but this season has shown that his style of play makes him susceptible to bookings in England. Moreover, at 31 years old, there are doubts about how long he can continue to play at the highest level.
The same goes for Eriksen and Fernandes, who, despite being younger than Casemiro, have looked like they could use a rest this season. With the number of games United play every season, Declan Rice would easily slot in the midfield and play many games.
His new-found ball-carrying skills could even be further polished by Erik ten Hag. Furthermore, after starting his career as an out-and-out anchoring defensive midfielder, Rice has added goalscoring and creativity to his game to become a complete midfielder.
He would add to a growing group of leaders at the club, with Erik ten Hag keen to reestablish order and accountability to this group labelled “weak” and “soft” far too often in recent times.
Chelsea
Homecoming on the other cards? Declan Rice has been vocal about how his release from Chelsea at such a young age changed him as a player and person for the better. Tackling adversity at an impressionable age and coming back stronger has made Declan Rice a mentality monster.
Could he be tempted to run it back and show Chelsea they made a mistake in letting him go? Recent reports suggest Chelsea are interested in a reunion.
Winds of change are blowing at Stamford Bridge under Tood Boehly. After a remarkable number of signings left Chelsea’s squad bloated and unmanageable, a culling is expected in the summer. The future of Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Hakim Ziyech, and more are under threat. Even players who are safe from this, like N’Golo Kante, have injury worries of their own.
A former academy graduate who made good after leaving would be an ideal signing to rally the fanbase and team around. Rice knows the club, fills a position of need, and brings leadership to an increasingly aimless-looking club. The fit couldn’t be better as far as Declan Rice’s next club is concerned.
Liverpool
James Milner is leaving, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho are getting up there in terms of age, and Jude Bellingham is not coming. It is fair to say that for the next iteration of Jurgen Klopp’s team to be successful, a midfield revamp is needed.
Declan Rice is the prototypical Jurgen Klopp player– endless stamina, physical marvel, a good influence in the dressing room, with an eagerness to learn and improve.
Although Declan Rice is not expected to come cheap, Liverpool abandoned their pursuit of Bellingham due to figures being quoted, he should be worth the money and more.
Moreover, with the Bellingham chase now dead in the water, they can go for multiple midfielders because a single Jude Bellingham wouldn’t have solved their midfield issues on his own anyways. Declan Rice would be the crown jewel of this next crop.
Arsenal
The Gunners have also been credited with an interest and rightly so. Mikel Arteta is building something special at Arsenal with a core group of youngsters who are professional to the tee.
However, the defensive midfield is a glaring weakness in the squad in the absence of Thomas Partey. Their title challenge fell to pieces as soon as Partey and William Saliba missed games.
In Declan Rice, Arsenal would get a player in a similar age profile to Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and more of Arsenal’s key players. A criticism levelled at Arsenal after their collapse in the title race has been the lack of leaders in the team. Declan Rice would fix that issue too.
Arsenal is a no-brainer choice for Declan Rice’s next club and despite the competition being fierce, they should do all they can to convince him to move to Emirates Stadium. For Declan Rice, the world is at his feet. His next club could decide his legacy in the game.
