In a recent report, The Telegraph has mentioned that Chelsea are planning to use Tammy Abraham as a makeweight to land Declan Rice from West Ham United during this summer transfer window. However, it is believed that the Blues could face fierce competition from Manchester United and Manchester City in the race to secure the services of the English midfield ace in this off-season (via The Telegraph).
Rice’s Impressive Numbers At The London Stadium This Season
If the West London outfit can secure UEFA Champions League for next season, it would make things easier for them to land Rice who is eager to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer. The 22-year-old has participated in 34 matches for David Moyes’ side this term, scoring one goal and providing one assist in various competitions.
Rice has been one of West Ham’s most consistent performers this season as he is averaging 1.8 tackles, 1.9 interceptions, 1.1 clearances, 0.8 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per 90 minutes in Premier League football. He has also been accurate when distributing possession from midfield based on his pass success rate of 88.3% in the English top tier (stats via whoscored).
At 22, the former Chelsea youngster has already established himself as a key member of Moyes’ starting XI, so Thomas Tuchel will do well to convince the midfielder to seal a return to the West London club when the transfer window reopens later this year.
What Will The English Midfielder Add To Thomas Tuchel’s Team?
Rice has established himself as a capable defensive midfielder as he can sense the danger quickly to earn possession back for his side. He can time his tackles well and is not shy of clearing the danger when his teammates are defensively exposed at the back.
The English sensation can keep the ball moving without breaking a sweat at the centre of the park but needs to add a few more goals and assists to his game if he intends to taste success at the highest level. Making a switch back to Chelsea could be too tempting for the player to turn down this summer, especially if they end up securing Champions League football for next season.
Rice will add plenty of bite and steel to Tuchel’s midfield department that already boasts some big names like Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic. He will undoubtedly add more competition for them and is even good enough to secure a permanent starting berth at Stamford Bridge in the coming seasons.
