Declan Rice: No jump in squad quality from West Ham to Arsenal, but more advanced role ‘the difference’
Declan Rice has revealed that there is no difference in quality between his current Arsenal teammates to his past “unbelievable” West Ham squad.
Speaking on international duty to Channel 4 in the buildup to England’s clash against Ukraine, the West Ham United record-breaker waxed lyrical about his former Hammers squad, suggesting the final Cup-winning squad was just as good as Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
He revealed the “difference” in his new role is his “more advanced” position, with Rice often deployed in a more defensive role under David Moyes.
Speaking to Channel 4, as quoted by Hammers News (10 September), Rice said: “No [there has not been a big jump up in quality at Arsenal], towards the end of my time at West Ham the players we had were unbelievable. But I would say the difference is the way now I’m having to play is much more advanced.”
Loyal
While it would be legacy suicide to suggest your new team is better than the club that made you, it is good to see a West Ham hero still speaking highly of his former home.
His inevitable sale to Arsenal banked the Irons a then-British record fee of £105million, which has been wisely reinvested into the squad. Many claim the Hammers look even better this season than their UECL-winning side, with Mohammed Kudus, James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez totally redefining Moyes’ midfield.
So, all in all, Rice’s sale is beneficial to all parties, and his North London career has got off to a good start, with his match-winning goal late into stoppage time against Manchester United (3 September) being the current highlight of his young Emirates career.
Rice will have to wait until February to revisit the London Stadium as the opposition but should get a warm reception from the Hammers faithful here, and their Emirates clash on Boxing Day.
Rice’s comments also speak volumes about the quality of the side he left behind. While their league form last season was unforgettable for the wrong reasons, their Cup win will go down in history and the quality of the squad Moyes pulled together will live on, and is already living on through Rice’s words here.
In other West Ham news, an injury expert has revealed a new Hammers man could miss the Manchester City clash.