Carlton Cole: West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice ‘isn’t irreplaceable’
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole believes Declan Rice in not “irreplaceable” at the London Stadium despite his importance to David Moyes’ side.
Rice’s future has always been up in the air with the Hammers failing to tie the talismanic midfielder down to a new contract.
It was revealed by talkSPORT (11 May) that West Ham had offered Rice an eight-year contract which was turned down by the England international.
Cole believes that the Hammers captain is crucial to Moyes’ side but could be replaced if he departed the London Stadium.
Talking to SunSport, Cole said: “If it does happen and someone comes in with an offer that we can’t refuse [for Rice] then it’s just the way it is.
“We’ll reshuffle the pack and nobody in that West Ham squad isn’t irreplaceable. You’ll always get a few diamonds in the rough and we have found a load of them.”
Prepare for departure
Regardless of Rice’s short-term future, it is unlikely that the England man will remain at the London Stadium unless the Hammers can turn themselves into Champions League contenders.
It is hard to disagree with Cole, with every single player having their price, regardless of their importance to the club.
£100million would go a long way in improving the rest of West Ham’s current squad.
It looks likely that the West Ham midfielder will be at the club come next season but it would not be a surprise to see speculation and interest really mount as the summer of 2023 approaches.
West Ham cannot be stubborn in their stance on Rice.
If their valuation of him is met then they must reinvest in the squad.
A footballer’s career is short and Rice is too good not to be performing at Champions League level in the coming years, and at 23 he is entering the prime of his career.