West Ham captain Declan Rice looks set to leave the Hammers this summer, with the duo of Arsenal and Manchester United strongly interested in the England international.
However, ex-West Ham star David James says he would rather see Rice move abroad or stay at West Ham.
The 24-year-old has already grown a reputation as one of the world’s best in his position and despite West Ham’s struggles as a team, he has continued to stand out and perform consistently.
David Moyes’ side now have the chance to win a major trophy for the first time in 43 years when they take on Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday night.
Victory would also mean West Ham qualify for the Europa League and James is hopeful that might possibly convince Rice to stay put with the Hammers.
Rice urged to snub Arsenal and Man United move
Speaking to King Casino Bonus, James said: “I’ve got this beautiful scenario in my head where West Ham win this competition, Declan Rice decides to stay.”
‘They therefore qualify for the Europa League and then win that to get into the Champions League. I know it is a fantastical situation, but then it would be up to Declan what he does.”
“It’s very easy to say Declan Rice is going to be a key player, but if he is on it it gives West Ham every possible chance to lift the trophy. I really don’t think they will fear Fiorentina at all on Wednesday in Prague.”
James further buttressed his point, citing examples with the careers of Mark Noble and Tottenham star Harry Kane.
He continued: “You look at Mark Noble and everything he achieved at West Ham; there would have been plenty of teams who wanted him at his peak, but he stayed there to the end and secured legendary status. Declan Rice has the rare chance to do that, same as Harry Kane at Tottenham.”
“My point is, why can’t a player fall in love with a club and stay there for the duration of their career? Finances are the easy answer, because you could earn three, four or even five times as much at some of these gargantuan clubs.”
“If it were just purely down to the love of the club, I’m sure he would stay. I think he is in a similar situation as Harry Kane, whereby West Ham fans would not begrudge him a move.”
James went on to further give two reasons why he thinks it would make sense for Rice to play abroad.
“The first, from a selfish point of view, is that I wouldn’t have to see him playing against West Ham! He’d undoubtedly cause them all sorts of problems as well, because he is such a solid professional and would take the emotion out of it.”
“But secondly, for him personally, he would gain so much experience from playing abroad. He could experience football in the same way I did when I was very late in my career; experiencing a new culture, becoming a more rounded player.”
