[ad_1]
England midfielder Declan Rice has hinted that his future may lie away from West Ham United amid his desire to play in the Champions League.
The Hammers edged closer to a top-four finish in the 2020-21 season.
Despite this, they finished sixth in the Premier League, two points adrift of the Champions League places.
Rice was to enjoy European football the following campaign as the Irons reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, losing to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt over two legs.
And seventh place in the last season of the league brought the Football Conference League Europe in the 2022-23 season.
The London club swept completely through their group consisting of Anderlecht, Silkeborg and FCSB, winning all six of their matches.
The last 16 opponents will not be known until February 24, as the group winners do not play in the first elimination round, otherwise known as the play-offs.
While playing in these two competitions is an achievement for West Ham, their captain Rice is aiming higher.
In what will be brutal hearing for Hammers fans, Rice discussed playing in the “biggest games” and admitted he was jealous of his England team-mates “playing the Champions League and for big trophies”.
Having spent time surrounded by players he believes are among the best in the world, the 23-year-old said he wants to emulate some of their achievements at club level.
“I want to play in the Champions League 100 percent,” Rice admitted.
“I always play well for my club and I feel that I really want to continue.
“Here I see my friends playing in the Champions League and for big trophies.
“You only get one career and at the end of the day you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
Rice has attracted interest from a number of top Premier League clubs.
If the opportunity to go elsewhere presents itself, it is clear he would take it and is not considering a career similar to that of Irons legend Mark Noble, who has spent his entire career in east London.
Chelsea are the team most likely to be linked with Rice, although Liverpool and Manchester United are also reported to be interested.
The England international joined the Blues at the age of seven before being released in 2014.
He then joined West Ham and made over 200 appearances for the club’s first team.
This week, Telegraph said reporter Matt Law West Ham ‘willing to sell’ Ricewhich will continue “100 percent” next summer.
That and the player’s offers will be music to the ears of interested parties who have now learned he will cost £70m, not the £150m quoted by Irons boss David Moyes.
“For sure, for sure he will leave West Ham at the end of this season,” said Law.
“West Ham are preparing to sell Declan Rice. I think it will be around £70m.”
Law also said that Chelsea are not in the best position, contrary to reports.
He says competition is coming from the best teams in the Premier League, but did not specify who else wants to sign the midfielder.
NOW READ: Was Marcus Rashford actually good for England vs Wales? This is not a troll question
The article Declan Rice ‘Champions League’ admissions hint at West Ham exit: ‘You get only one career’ appeared first on Football365.com.
[ad_2]
Source link