West Ham United: Jamie Carragher sends trophy warning to Declan Rice over Arsenal transfer
Jamie Carragher has warned West Ham United captain Declan Rice that he is not guaranteed to win trophies if he seals a transfer to Arsenal this summer.
Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg reported on 13 June that the Hammers were ready to accept an £85million plus bonuses bid for the 24-year-old.
Speaking to the Metro, Carragher admitted that Rice could take a similar step to Jude Bellingham and put himself on the map as one of the standout European midfielders if he moved to the Gunners, but simultaneously issued a word of warning about winning silverware.
He said: “It is difficult with Declan Rice, and I think Harry Kane falls into this one too, they are at clubs that probably aren’t going to challenge for the Premier League or Champions League.
“But unless you go to Man City, there is no guarantee you are going to come out with trophies that you want.
“But you want to give yourself the opportunity and the tough question for Arsenal heading into next season is whether this was a one-off or whether they can be consistent and challenging the biggest sides because it hasn’t happened for a long time.
“I always felt he [Rice] would end up at Chelsea, but he could go to Arsenal and it could go great for him. He’s a step up from what they’ve got, but there is no guarantee he will go onto win the biggest trophies with them.
“It is so competitive now. I think he’s at the age now where he has got to go and show himself as one of the outstanding midfielders in European football, so he has to make that move.
“To make that next step, like Jude Bellingham did when he was a bit younger when he joined Dortmund… Arsenal would be a really good fit for him, and he will certainly step them up a level.”
Right time
Although every West Ham United fan would like Rice to remain a one-club man and sign a new contract at the London Stadium, the midfielder needs to be playing regular Champions League football to fill his sky-high potential.
A move to Mikel Arteta’s side would grant him this wish and take his game to the next level for both club and country.
Of course, the Gunners won’t be guaranteed to win any silverware, especially while the juggernaut that is Manchester City is still under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, but he is likely to be competing on the very biggest stages on a regular basis.
From a Hammers perspective, the Europa Conference League victory felt like the natural end-game for the England international.
He has come on leaps and bounds in the last two years – especially since taking on the captain’s armband – and he was an integral cog to the club winning their first piece of silverware since 1980.