‘Different class’ – Exclusive: McAvennie urges Rice to make decision on West Ham future
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie hopes Declan Rice decides to stay at West Ham amid speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea.
Football Insider reported earlier this month that Chelsea are planning to make contact with the Hammers in a bid to sign Rice, 21, in the January transfer window.
In the summer, the Stamford Bridge club was strongly linked with Rice and there was speculation [Metro] about Frank Lampard wanting the midfielder to turn him into a centre-back.
However, McAvennie believes Tiago Silva’s arrival at Chelsea might have changed that thought but he still insists Rice needs to make a big decision on his future.
“He’s different class and he’s doing very well in the midfield,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“Not only is he one of West Ham’s best players but he’s one of England’s as well.
“He’s got to make up his mind over his future. West Ham or Chelsea and whether he wants to play in centre-midfield or as a centre-half. People are saying Chelsea want him as a centre-half but he’s stepped up as a midfield player.
“Chelsea have got Tiago Silva so hopefully they don’t want him there (as a centre-back).”
West Ham struggled last season – there’s no denying that. And Rice was one of the many players at the London Stadium who failed to meet expectations.
He wasn’t awful last season but there’s been a massive improvement to his game and McAvennie believes that could be down to the simple face the England international is enjoying his time on the pitch again.
McAvennie added: “Declan seems to have got his smile back again, which is great.
“I enjoy watching players that are smiling. It looks like they’re enjoying themselves.
“In their walk of life, it’s work and you want to enjoy it. You do a better than people who don’t like it if you do.
“I’m pleased for him.”
Rice has played every minute of every Premier League fixture this season for the Irons and wore the captain’s armband in all of them except the opening day defeat to Newcastle.
According to stats by WyScout, Rice ranks fifth in the Premier League for the success rate of his passes into the final third this season [85.07%].
He’s properly transformed into a midfielder who’s capable on the ball from the ball-playing centre-back he started off as.
In other West Ham news, Mark Lawrenson has predicted the result of the Hammers’ clash against Aston Villa.