MY ACCOUNT
If any clubs want to sign Declan Rice this summer, it will cost them at least £150million according to West Ham boss David Moyes.
Rice, 23, has continued to turn heads with another impressive campaign for the Hammers, but there are very few clubs in world football who can afford the price tag placed on him.
So, who will pay that and how would he improve those sides?
Ahead of West Ham’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon, we take a look at the midfielder’s qualities and the options available to him.
Win the ball, play the ball
Rice’s rare blend of ball-winning skills and quality in possession are what make him such a sought-after asset.
Only Brentford’s Christian Norgaard has won possession in the middle third (139) more times in the Premier League than Rice (136).
The England international’s tallies for tackles (66), interceptions (50) and possessions won in the defensive third (98) are all the seventh-best in the competition.
He also leads his side in the division for touches (2,109), passes attempted (1,709) and completed (1,560) and passes into the final third attempted (457) and completed (396).
“A really top player”
Moyes has previously hailed Rice’s speed and quality on the ball and compared him to Liverpool captain and England team-mate Jordan Henderson.
Speaking last month, he said: “I think Declan is a similar age now to what Jordan was [when he joined Liverpool]. And I think Declan at the moment is in a really good position.
“Henderson has been a great player and captain for Liverpool, having to take over from Steven Gerrard, and he has done a brilliant job.
“I think Declan has got a lot of the same traits.
“As a player, he’s quick, he’s good on the ball. There are a lot of things he can still improve on.
“We want to improve his passing and his goalscoring. We’re trying to get all those elements picked up, but there are a lot of players — good England players — who at 22, 23 aren’t even close to being at the level they want to be.
“I think Declan is a good way down the line to becoming a really top player.
“I might be wrong in saying this, but he probably won’t be far off being one of the first picks for England now. Maybe Harry Kane would be the only one in front of him.”
Chelsea
Rice spent the majority of his youth career at Chelsea, joining the Blues’ academy in 2006 before being released in 2014. His friendship with Mason Mount is well-documented.
As such, a short hop across London to rejoin his boyhood team would likely be an attractive prospect for the Irons ace.
It would be a timely boost for Thomas Tuchel’s side as well, given N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are both out of contract at the end of next season and could depart.
However, given the lack of clarity surrounding the West Londoners and their ability to make signings, it would not be a straightforward move.
Manchester United
Of the clubs able to afford Rice, Manchester United are arguably the most desperate for midfield reinforcements.
Nemanja Matic, 33, is out of contract in 2023 and no longer of the required standard to get United competing at the very top level.
Nor arguably are Scott McTominay or Fred — though the Brazilian has been one of the few beneficiaries of Ralf Rangnick’s Old Trafford tenure.
Meanwhile, Paul Pogba looks set to leave on a free this summer. A statement signing like Rice would go some way to offsetting the disappointment of losing the Frenchman for nothing.
Central midfield has been a long-standing problem for the Red Devils. They lack a dominant force in the middle who can control games and Rice would do just that.
Manchester City
On the blue side of Manchester, Fernandinho’s contract is running out this summer and this may well be the 36-year-old’s last season at the Etihad.
Should the Brazilian depart, there will be room for a new deep-lying midfielder in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
But regular starter Rodri has performed well as City sit top of the Premier League, lessening the club’s need to splash £150m on a new recruit.
The Citizens may be able to afford Rice but are more likely to seek a cost-effective alternative to Rodri.
There is also the small matter of trying to fit Rodri, Rice, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden in the same team.
The Premier League champions have more pressing concerns — particularly up front where Erling Haaland appears to be their No1 priority this summer.
On the move?
It would appear that much will depend on Chelsea’s ability to sign players this summer.
There will be plenty of interest from Old Trafford but there is a high chance they will not be able to offer him Champions League football.
The Blues will almost certainly be able to do just that — and linking up with Mount is an added bonus for Rice.
But if their eventual new owners splash the cash less than Roman Abramovich did, do not rule out an East London stay for the 28-cap international.
