Declan Rice excelled for West Ham last season. His driving runs into the opposition’s box have become a regular feature of his game and contributed to his most prolific campaign since he broke into the Hammers’ first team.
His tally of four goals and four assists is a marked improvement from the previous campaign’s total and further proof that Rice’s game is continuing to develop. The 23-year-old was also voted West Ham’s player of the season for the second time in the last three years.
Rice’s consistent performances in the middle of the park were essential in helping his side reach the Europa League semi finals, as well as securing European football for the second successive season. And his exceptional displays have also caught the attention of a number of the continent's leading clubs including Chelsea.
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Hammers boss David Moyes has lauded the England star throughout the campaign and his importance to the side, he said: "I think I've said everything there is to say about Declan.
"He's a really important player for West Ham, he's someone who we value greatly and you can see what he means to the team.
"He's a really good individual and we're enjoying having him."
Rice was mainly deployed as a centre-back during Moyes’ first spell in charge at the London Stadium; it was the Scot’s successor Manuel Pellegrini who first decided to move him into midfield. It was a shrewd move from the Chilean and Rice has thrived in that role for club and country utilising his athleticism, passing range and vision to great effect.
Due to Rice’s scintillating form and rapid development the Hammers have reportedly placed a £100million price tag on their most prized asset. When asked for his valuation of West Ham’s star player Moyes stated that it would cost considerably more to secure his services.
He said: "I don’t agree with the owners that Declan Rice is a £100million footballer. Far, far more than £100m. Far more.
"I look at the players who have joined some clubs from overseas and come in and nowhere near had the impact Declan Rice would have.
"I certainly wouldn’t put a price on it. You can decide which figure you want to put on it but I wouldn’t be sanctioning anything like that, that’s for sure."
Chelsea will certainly be in the market for a central midfielder with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho in their 30s and out of contract next summer. However, it remains to be seen if the Blues will be prepared to pay the kind of fee that will tempt West Ham to sell under.
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