In a recent report, The Daily Express has mentioned that Chelsea remain keen on sealing a January move for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice. It is believed that the Blues are willing to cash in on five players to fund a move for the England international during the winter transfer period (via The Daily Express).
Rice’s Growing Influence At East London
The 21-year-old has made an excellent start to this Premier League season as he has been responsible for putting in a series of dominant displays at the heart of David Moyes’ midfield. Rice has made nine appearances for the Hammers this term, picking up one yellow card in the process across various competitions.
The ten-time England international deserves a pat on the back for having a positive influence in both halves based on his average of 1.8 tackles, 2.5 interceptions, 1.1 clearances, 0.6 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per 90 minutes in the English first division thus far. He has even distributed the ball with conviction after making 87% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
Rice has established himself as one of Moyes’ top performers at the London Stadium over the past couple of seasons. With his current contract with the Hammers set to expire in the summer of 2024, Moyes will be in no hurry to sanction his departure unless Chelsea manage to meet his demands for the player.
What Will The English Midfield Ace Add To Frank Lampard’s Side?
Rice has proven his worth as a holding midfielder by producing a run of consistent displays at the English capital this season. He is usually quick to scan the danger and can make some crucial tackles to earn possession back for his team.
The English midfield ace has also mopped up the danger relatively well by pulling off a few last-gasp clearances at the back. He is also a decent passer and can create some inviting openings for his teammates with his driving runs in the opposition half.
Is Rice A Good Option For The Blues?
Rice seems destined to have a very bright future in the Premier League, so the Blues will do well to lure him away from the London Stadium next summer. He could serve as a decent replacement for N’Golo Kante who is set to turn 30 in March. Plus, Rice might potentially form a productive holding midfield partnership with Jorginho at Stamford Bridge in the coming seasons.
All in all, the English talent will be a great option for Lampard to consider at the end of this campaign even if it means cashing in on some of the deadwood to fund a big-money move for him in the future. Rice has all the skillset needed to be a success story under the watchful eyes of Lampard and could help Chelsea win some major trophies in the years to come.
