Trever Sinclair issues West Ham warning over Declan Rice
Trevor Sinclair has warned the West Ham hierarchy that there would be anarchy among supporters if Declan Rice was sold this summer.
The England midfielder enjoyed a successful 2020/21 campaign with West Ham with his imperious midfield displays helping the Irons to a sixth-place finish that earned them Europa League qualification.
However, speculation has been swirling over his future at the London Stadium as he bids to drive England to glory at Euro 2020.
The Telegraph reported on July 1 that Rice had rejected two contract offers from the club amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
The offers are believed to have been less than what some of the previous highest-paid players at West Ham have earned, and former Irons midfielder Sinclair believes the club need to act fast or risk the wrath of supporters.
“He’s 22 and the best player at West Ham, so he should be the best-paid player,” Sinclar told talkSPORT [02/07/21].
“Whoever’s doing the negotiating from West Ham needs to get their hand in their pocket because if they don’t, the uproar from the fans, if Declan Rice is allowed to go to a top club at his age, would be outrageous.”
Get it done
There’s no mistaking it – Rice is our best and most important player.
His absence from the side was sorely felt when he missed six games through injury in April and May as we lost half of them.
Upon his return we went unbeaten for the final three games of the season to clinch Europa League football, and it may even have been Champions League football had injury not struck him down on international duty.
Rice’s reputation has continued to soar at Euro 2020 after some monstrous displays for his national team, especially against Germany in the round of 16 as he produced a near-perfect game after being booked in the first ten minutes.
It’s no surprise to see him continually linked with a host of top clubs, such is his enormous talent, but he should be kept at West Ham for at least one more season now that we will be plying our trade in Europe.
He deserves a contract to match his contribution on the field, and the onus is on David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady to ensure the offer on the table is an enticing one.
In other West Ham news, this European club chairman has issued a huge financial claim on the Irons.
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