‘Don’t panic’ in West Ham over Rice’s future as Moyes challenges star to get even better
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avid Moyes has hailed Declan Rice as one of Europe’s best midfielders, but insists no one at West Ham is freaking out about losing their captain.
The 22-year-old will reach the milestone of 150 Premier League appearances at Crystal Palace on New Years Day and has been one of the most notable players of 2021, although his manager wants the academy graduate even more.
Rice has excelled for club and country this year, leading the Hammers to the Europa League for the very first time and playing a key role as England reached their first European Championship final.
The Three Lions star is constantly looking to kick start his performances and Moyes has challenged him to get even better on the ball this season – although the Scotsman says it’s hard to compare Rice to someone else in European football.
“There is nothing better [in Europe], Moyes said.
“I think if you break Declan down you could say okay I want you to get even better at your death. So you can watch Frenkie de Jong or you can watch Jorginho. You can watch people who are really, gamers. football really tidy.
“But if you look at the other side of the game, Declan is as good as anyone I know at picking up the ball, going around the pitch. I can’t really think of a lot of other midfield players. pitch like Declan in this mold really.
“Rodri is slightly different in the way he plays in a different way. But Declan is a bit versatile, and can definitely do different things and he’s starting to add goals to his game.
“There’s probably not much better, but I think there are aspects of Declan’s game that he can improve upon – we want him to get better at so many things, but he’s been. a revelation for us this season. “
Having impressed West Ham and the Three Lions so much, Rice has had no shortage of suitors at other big clubs.
While his club have yet to receive a formal offer for his talisman, it’s inevitable that someone will test his resolve at some point if Rice continues to play at this level.
However, given the valuation of over £ 100million and a contract that runs until 2024 and includes the one more year option held by West Ham, Moyes says there are few worry about losing Rice – the real goal being to bring the rest of the squad back to their level.
“Declan has a long contract here, a long contract,” Moyes said. “So from that point of view, we don’t have a great panic.
“We will keep Declan as long as possible, we have no plans to sell it. If we ever had to, I have said several times already what it would be – a shoot on the moon.”
Moyes added: “Overall he did a great job. I hope he will continue to lead the team and I hope we will continue to add great players to play with and around Declan.
“My job is to keep building the club and increasing that level and I think he needs to have Declan players around him who are of a similar level and able to play at a very high level.”
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