Declan Rice dismisses 'annoying' speculation as Chelsea's transfer hopes fade
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 22 Jul 2022 20:55 BST
- 3 min read
Declan Rice has described speculation linking him with a move away from West Ham as ‘annoying’ and insists he is happy at the club.
Rice has been heavily linked with moves to Chelsea in recent times but the 23-year-old has claimed he is committed to West Ham after being appointed as the club’s captain following the departure of Mark Noble
“Everyone knows my relationship with the players here, the manager, I’ve never once complained,” Rice said. “Whatever happens off the pitch takes care of itself, I can’t control that.
“[The speculation] is annoying because of the numbers that get attached to your name, you can’t control that. There’s stuff that you read and see that you don’t want to hear because it’s not really true.
“All I can do is go on the pitch and play football and be happy and for the last couple of seasons that’s what I’ve done and that’s the faith the manager has put in me.
“All that speculation stuff, that’s what comes with playing well.”
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Are Chelsea’s hopes of signing Rice over?
Chelsea have attempted to sign Rice on a number of occasions however the Hammers have refused to negotiate, insisting the 23-year-old would not leave for anything less than £150 million.
But Rice has never demanded to move and still has three years remaining on his contract, with the option of a further 12 months, meaning any chance of a move is unlikely.
🗣 "It is annoying. The stuff you read and see sometimes that you don't want to hear. Because it's not really true in a way. All that speculation and stuff is what comes with playing good."
Declan Rice on the speculation about his West Ham future pic.twitter.com/JTAUlXqOlG— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 22, 2022
The England international stressed his only priority is continuing to lead West Ham and that there was no substance to the rumours that he was on the way out of the club.
Rice said: “It’s completely out of my mind. Nothing’s officially happened. I’ve always said until something happens there’s no point talking about it.
“I’m a West Ham player, I’m have a contract and I’ll always respect that. Every time I put on the shirt, I want to be the best player and to give 100%.”
