Rice’s rare achievement will have impressed Man Utd and Chelsea
Robin Bairner
- 20 Oct 2022 04:11 CDT
- 3 min read
Declan Rice gave a nudge to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United on Wednesday night that he could be a long-term answer to their midfield problems as he produced a virtuoso display against Liverpool in the Premier League.
Although his West Ham side slipped to a 1-0 defeat courtesy of a goal from Darwin Nunez, they were the better side in the second half but squandered countless chances to level the game.
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Manager David Moyes, meanwhile, produced a neat summary of Rice’s performance.
“If you didn't see it, he was the best player on the pitch – by a mile,” said Moyes. “A top player. He could play for any club, he's that good – and I mean it. He was back to his best; for long periods he was fantastic, big parts of the play in how he dominated.
“He took the ball and he drove past people. It's (a significant step on where he has been). That's him getting back to his levels. For those who don't see us that often, last season he played that way in every game just about. He was so good. I thought he was a standout, certainly as the game went on.”
Indeed, Rice completed a rare achievement during Wednesday’s fixture as he was named man of the match, despite being on the losing side.
“I feel sick, I honestly feel sick. We know it is a tough place to come, you have to show grit, heart and desire. There was enough in the second half to nick something from the game,” he told the BBC after the loss.
Deserved something from that tonight but we go again monday! Thank you for the travelling support hammers❤️⚒️
— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) October 19, 2022
Short-term pain but long-term gain?
Meanwhile, he produced the type of display that will have Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool assessing their options next summer. All three are liable to be in for central midfield players, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham thought to be top of the shortlist of all three.
Rice, though, gave them a reminder that he could be a viable alternative in the same area of the pitch, having performed to a high standard against a world-class opponent.
West Ham, though, have repeatedly stated that they will not allow Rice to depart easily, with Moyes having repeatedly stated that only a bid of over £100 million will see the Hammers consider an offer.
With a contract that expires in 2024, though, next summer could be their last chance to sell the midfielder for a big sum. Chelsea and Man Utd, particularly, will have taken note.
