Tom McDermott mocks £100m Declan Rice valuation in dig at West Ham star
West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice is not worth anywhere near £100million, according to journalist Tom McDermott.
The Manchester United journalist, who is a member of the Football Writers’ Association, laid into the Irons star after the 22-year-old failed to inspire his country past Scotland in a 0-0 draw at Wembley on Friday night.
Rice started and completed the match, his second in the space of five days after he lined up in their European Championships opener against Croatia last Sunday.
Rice was widely considered one of the stars of last season’s Premier League, leading David Moyes to say he is worth more than £100million after GSB reportedly set that as his value amid interest from Chelsea. [Telegraph]
But writing on his personal Twitter profile, McDermott was less than impressed with Rice.
“Talked about Rice before,” he said. “Steady Premier League player but nowhere near the £100million levels. Doesn’t excel at anything really. Positionally he did well against Croatia but not much more.
“If you’re paying £100million to upgrade Fred and [Scott] McTominay you don’t spend it on the West Ham player.”
McDermott also “agreed” with the assertion that Rice would not represent an upgrade on the Manchester United duo.
Deluded
So one allegedly bad or ineffectual game cancels out everything before it? McDermott has been extremely reactionary there.
He can’t have watched many games of Rice for him to spout such utter nonsense.
Rice has been a lynchpin in our midfield for a number of years now, patrolling the middle of the park with his snarling tenacity and ball retention skills.
He’s still so young, yet has shown so much talent. He’s very a much a player for the here and now, as well as the future.
Would we agree that Rice is worth £100million or more? Probably, given the way the game is going and the premium for English players, he’s definitely worth in that region.
He’s certainly better than Fred and McTominay who are both fairly average midfielders playing in a top club.
Their deficiencies are masked by the rest of the team, whereas Rice doesn’t have that luxury.
McDermot should open his eyes and reconsider his stance on Rice.
In other West Ham news, this Tottenham legend has fumed at an Irons-supporting journo after a Spurs-Avram Grant jibe.
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