Jason Cundy slams West Ham United fans live on talkSPORT in ‘absolute disgrace’ verdict
Jason Cundy believes it will be an “absolute disgrace” if West Ham fans boo Declan Rice on his return to the club.
The Arsenal midfielder could line out against the Hammers when the two sides meet in the EFL Cup on Wednesday (1 November).
The London Stadium plays host to the round of 16 clash, with Rice potentially playing against his former club having left West Ham for the Gunners in the summer.
“If you’re a West Ham fan and you boo Rice, you are an absolute disgrace to your club,” Cundy said live on talkSPORT. “Because of what he did and what he achieved.
“What has really annoyed me about West Ham fans is that they bigged him up, saying ‘£100millon? We want £110million, we’re not letting him go for this.’
“No one decides that. They can come on and tell us how good he is, yet when he leaves, all the West Ham fans come crawling back, when they started the season well saying ‘We’re a better team without him.’ No you’re not. And all of a sudden West Ham’s season is kind of grinding to a little bit of a halt.”
Star player
Rice was the star man at the London Stadium for several years, constantly impressing all over the pitch in claret and blue.
An East London exit was inevitable, and as soon as the previous campaign ended it was obvious that the midfielder would be moving on for a new challenge.
Plenty of clubs were seemingly in for his signature, but in the end the England international settled for Arsenal, London rivals of West Ham.
That may have upset plenty of the London Stadium faithful, who perhaps still do not feel right seeing their former midfield man playing in red and white instead of claret and blue.
However, given his efforts for the Hammers over recent years, he really should be given a warm reception, if indeed manager Mikel Arteta chooses to play him.
There will, however, inevitably be some jeers from the home supporters if Rice does make it onto the pitch against his former employers.
In other West Ham news, Hammers scouts are in action already with a new South American transfer on the cards, potentially in January.