Paolo Di Canio shares ‘quality’ Declan Rice verdict amid West Ham United transfer news
West Ham United ace Declan Rice is “ready to be a leader” at a top, top club, according to former Hammers player Paolo Di Canio.
West Ham and England midfielder Rice looks increasingly likely to leave his beloved club this summer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal will enter the “crucial” stages of a transfer for the 24-year-old next week.
“When you see a young player like him become a captain, a skipper of this team with such leadership inside, he leads on the field and also in the way he makes his communication,” Di Canio told Sky Sports.
“He is ready to be a leader in a top, top club. The ambition of a player with this talent is to win, or try to win, a league every year, or compete for the Champions League. He has this quality, and now he is in the time to move to a top club.”
Club legend
From one West Ham legend to another, Di Canio has handed Rice his blessing to leave West Ham this summer, which looks certain to be the case.
The star midfielder has given his all to the club over the years and is definitely deserving of a step up in class to a top side, one that is constantly challenging for league and Champions League titles, whether that be in England or further afield.
So while it is bad news for the Hammers, there is also good news in that they are certain to receive a huge fee for their captain fantastic.
Another massive positive is that Rice can leave the London Stadium in the best possible way, having played a key role as the club lifted the Europa Conference League trophy.
He will leave East London a legend, with supporters sad but happy at the same time to see Rice go and live his dream elsewhere.