Declan Rice has started every game he’s been available for this season
(Picture: Getty Images)Declan Rice has told West Ham boss David Moyes that he does not want a rest despite playing an “obscene” number of games last season, as the Hammers prepare to continue their hectic run of fixtures in Belgium tomorrow night.
Moyes’ men are in Brussels to take on Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League group stage, the third in a run of 13 games in just 43 days before the club season breaks for the World Cup.
Rice is yet to be rested by either West Ham or England so far this term, starting all 12 of the matches for which he has been available (he missed both legs of the Hammers’ Europa Conference League qualifier through suspension), and could end up playing more than 70 times for club and country this term, should West Ham excel in cup competitions and England go deep in Qatar.
However, the 23-year-old insists he is desperate to keep on playing.
“I worked out last year from June [2021] to June (2022) I played 68 games,” Rice said. “That is an obscene amount of games. You have got to stay fit, got to eat the right things, your nutrition has to be good and you have to be spot on throughout the whole year.
“Of course, at some point it might take its toll but it is down to the player to find that balance and get back on track. I am starting to do that again now, I am starting to feel good again and feel sharp. Hopefully I can keep pushing and as a team kick on in Europe and in the league as well.
“I don’t want a rest at all. Before Silkeborg, I said to the manager that I wanted to play. I want to play in every game, even though we have a bigger squad and more competition for places. Whenever there is a chance to play for West Ham and get an appearance for this club is a great opportunity. I want to play in every game I am available to.”
Rice is expected to be a key figure for England in Qatar, having excelled during the Three Lions’ run to the final of Euro 2020, his first major international tournament.
An injury to the midfielder would be hugely detrimental to Gareth Southgate’s plans, particularly with Kalvin Phillips already in a race to be fit for the tournament, but Rice insists he is not letting the looming prospect of a World Cup affect his application in a West Ham shirt.
“I don’t go into a game and don’t give 100 per cent,” he added. “Every game I walk off and I am knackered. There are big games for West Ham and England. I don’t want to get injured or do anything silly.
“Of course, there is a big World Cup coming up but the focus right now is West Ham. We haven’t had the greatest start and we don’t want to be where we are in the table. We want to be back up in Euro spots and pushing at that end of the table. There are big games for England but West Ham is the focus.”
