Ryan Darby

Wed 6 January 2021 16:49, UK

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is reportedly under pressure at Stamford Bridge after a torrid run of form in recent weeks and it is a situation that could benefit West Ham United.

This could be huge news for West Ham, with the Blues one of the frontrunners trying to sign Declan Rice in the coming weeks and months.

It is a situation that the Hammers must follow with interest and while David Moyes will not want to see another manager lose his job, should Lampard get sacked at Chelsea, it would come as a major boost to the club.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who was speaking on the outlet’s resident YouTube Channel, the Blues are unlikely to pursue a move for Rice if Lampard is no longer in charge.

Asked if Chelsea would still consider a move, Ornstein said: “I suspect they wouldn’t because this is a target that has been driven by Lampard and as I have reported in the past, there are some at Stamford Bridge who harbour reservations [about Rice].”

If the Hammers are serious about backing Moyes and trying to push further up into the top half of the Premier League, keeping players like Rice will be crucial.

Rice is under contract at West Ham until 2024 and despite that, the club are aiming to tie him down to a long-term bumper deal.

The midfielder has been an influential figure in the Hammers side this season.

According to WhoScored, of all the Hammers players to have made 10 or more appearances in the Premier League, only Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek have higher average match ratings than Rice.

The England star has developed a brilliant on-field relationship with Soucek and the pair give the Hammers one of the best midfield duos in the entire Premier League.

Losing Rice would have been a hammer blow and it what appears to be a very fluid situation at Stamford Bridge, this is one to keep your eyes on.

In other West Ham news, ‘It is a strange one’ – Frank McAvennie is unsure about Robert Snodgrass’ future at the London Stadium