TalkSPORT pundits argue over Declan Rice’s West Ham future
Declan Rice has the chance to become a “god figure” at West Ham and could still win the World Cup with England if he stays at the club says Jamie O’Hara.
The midfield star is in high demand, with the Hammers putting a £150million price tag on him ahead of a potential summer move according to The Mail.
O’Hara and his talkSPORT co-host Dean Saunders were bemused at the price, considering a goalscorer in the mould of Frank Lampard necessary to command that fee, but while the former Spurs midfielder sees a worthwhile future at the London Stadium, ex-Wales striker Saunders does not.
During a debate on talkSPORT shown on YouTube, O’Hara said: “He can become a god figure at West Ham. That’s a club going in the right direction… This is just the start for West Ham potentially.
“He’s better than Mark Noble. Mark Noble’s been at West Ham his whole career, and people love him, he’s a legend. Declan Rice could be that. What do you want out of your career?”
“Well you can stay somewhere, and be worshipped, and not win anything. Or you can test yourself. It’s how ambitious you are.
“He’s never going to win the league for West Ham.”
Big decision
Despite the widespread derision of the mooted fee, it is clear that the Irons don’t think he is actually worth that.
They want to keep him and are trying to keep even the big clubs’ hands off him by pricing them out.
But whether he should stay or go is purely a matter of personal preference for Rice.
He has spoken of his desire to be a Champions League player, and although the Hammers aren’t fare off, a move could bring him that instantly.
There is a lack of similar debate about whether his England colleague Kalvin Phillips, courted by many of the same team and West Ham themselves, is ambitious enough.
His boyhood links to Leeds are seen as explanation, and that may be the key point for the Irons midfielder.
He was a Chelsea fan as a child, so the same draw that looks to keep Phillips at Elland Road isn’t there, and may even be pulling Rice back to Stamford Bridge.
There is no doubt the 23-year-old has embraced his central role at West Ham, but the bond cannot yet compare to Noble’s who was local to the club as a child.
In other West Ham news, the origins of a key feature from this season’s success have been revealed.
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