In the last few seasons, there has been a lot of talk around West Ham United’s star midfielder Declan Rice. The England international has been linked with top English clubs in almost all of the last four transfer windows but he has not made that big money move yet. However in all of this hype, Roy Keane feels Rice needs to prove himself more to make a move to the top clubs.
The midfielder has made it clear that he wants to play Champions League football and West Ham holds him in high regard. Keane is fine with all the PR that is done around the Englishman but he feels that the 25-year-old has not been that great this season for the Hammers. West Ham were flying high last season but they have failed to replicate that form coming into this season as they are 16th in the Premier League points table.
Arsenal and Chelsea have been heavily linked with the English midfielder especially after the Gunners failed to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. According to several reports, Arsenal remain keen on signing Declan Rice this summer. While Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League table and will play in the Champions League next season, Chelsea are currently in 10th position and their participation in Europe’s top tier is still questionable.
“I don’t think he’s been great this season, I really don’t. I think he’s not really kicked on. For all the talk about him, a lot of good PR coming out of West Ham about how much he’s worth, I think he needs to do a lot more. Doesn’t score enough goals, doesn’t get enough assists,” Keane said in an interaction with ITV Sports.
The former Manchester United midfielder who was known for his combative nature clearly stated that if Rice wants to play for a big club and contend for trophies in England and in Europe then he needs to raise his level. “If there’s talk of him leaving for big money and going to one of the bigger clubs who will be competing for trophies, playing in the Champions League, he needs to do a lot more, it’s as simple as that,” the former midfielder added.
West Ham United lost their FA Cup fifth round clash against Manchester United 3-1 and Declan Rice played the entire 90 minutes. While the Red Devils won the close encounter, Rice was pretty decent if we compare him to his teammates. But even Keane’s perspective is not wrong, the 24-year-old needs to up his game if he wants to join a top team and play in top tournaments.
