Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Chelsea are considering the possibility of signing West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
The 23-year-old has been vital to the Hammers getting 7th in the Premier League and reaching the Europa League semi-finals, making 50 appearances in all competitions for the side and being voted Player of the Year by the fans.
Only Jarrod Bowen has a higher WhoScored league rating, and the England international leads the way in interceptions, dribbles and passes per game for the east London club.
The West Ham Academy graduate has recently rejected a new contract from the Irons, and Jones believes that the Blues are eyeing the situation at the London Stadium carefully.
“On the back of the takeover getting the green light and talk of a £200m war chest, let’s not discount the possibility that Chelsea go back for Declan Rice.
“This Chelsea squad needs a revamp, players will leave, but Rice could be such a big asset and I’m told his name is still discussed as a potential signing.”
Our thoughts on Jones’ Rice claims…
Rice is in the top 5% of all midfielders in the Premier League this season for pass accuracy, shots blocked, interceptions, and progressive distance of his carries per 90 minutes.
His performances have caused his manager David Moyes to claim that he is one of the best midfielders in the league.
“There’s not many better. I think if you break Declan down , you might say well okay, I want you to become even better in your passing.
“You could look at people who are really, really tidy football players. But then if you looked at the other side of the game, Declan’s as good as anybody I know at recovering the ball, his speed round the pitch. I can’t really off the top of my head think of many other midfield players like Declan in that mould really.
N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are still the starting midfielders at Stamford Bridge, having played the most games there this campaign, but both are over 30.
“Who’s better than him? Physically he’s a freak, technically he can do anything. Now he’s added goals – he can do anything. He likes to put his foot and you’ve only got to look at the number of games he’s played at such a young age, you’ve got to have something about you,” once claimed former teammate Jack Wilshere.
If Thomas Tuchel can bring Rice to west London next season, the £67.5m-rated midfield general would go a long way to adding fresh legs to the Blues’ midfield.
AND in other news, Pundit claims Chelsea’s £40.5m-rated “game-winner” may be a “casualty” of Tuchel’s summer exodus…
