5 Reasons why Declan Rice should sign for Chelsea instead of Manchester United
Rice is a versatile player who can play as a defensive midfielder and as a centre back. With his age and potential, there is no wonder that he has been linked with a move away from the club. Chelsea wanted him last summer and they could try to sign him in January as well. Manchester United have previously shown interest in him and it is believed that they have rekindled their interest in him.
Five reasons why Rice should join Chelsea over Manchester United
1. Home calling: Before joining West Ham as a youth player, Rice playing in the youth academy of Chelsea. He was released by the club when he was just 14 years old. John Terry is said to be his ideal and he has tried to model his game on Chelsea’s legend. Even when he was released by the club, Terry called him and had 45 minutes to chat time to motivate and encourage him.
There is no time better than now for Rice to come back home. Though he was released as a youngster, Chelsea is still home for him. Frank Lampard is encouraging young players at the club and he is personally a fan of the player. Also if he rejoins the club, he would still stay in London and it should be a plus for him since he is a London native.
2. Stronger Squad: Over the past two seasons both Manchester, United and Chelsea have spent over $200 million. Chelsea has signed Ziyech, Werner, Havertz, Chilwell, Silva etc. While Manchester United signed Fernandes, Van de Beek, Maguire etc. United had a good chance to again strengthen themselves but they failed to do so. Chelsea is again likely to spend big next summer to add more recruits.
The injection of money is a clear indication that Abramovich means business. Though based on recent form, United do look like a better team but in the long run, Chelsea will be able to pip them. They want to win big trophies like the Champions League and the Premier League. It is only a matter of time all the signings at the club gel in and Chelsea once again starts to win big trophies.
3. Some familiar faces: It is very much known that both Mason Mount and Declan Rice are very close friends. Mount has managed to establish himself as a key player for Frank Lampard. It will actually be like a fairy tale with the two in the midfield for their boyhood club. This does not only lay the foundation for Chelsea’s midfield in the future but also for the England national team.
There are other Chelsea players who are friends with him as well. Tammy Abraham, Recce James, Ben Chilwell, Fikayo Tomori, and Callum Hudson Odio all are familiar faces for him. Though Ruben Loftus Cheek and Ross Barkley are on loan they will be back next season and Rice is friends with these two as well. So if he rejoins Chelsea he will have plenty of familiar faces at the club.
4. Potential replacement: Declan Rice’s versatility is one of his biggest assets. He can play in the midfield and as a centre back as well. It has been suggested that he could potentially replace N’Golo Kante at the club. The Frenchman is often linked with a move away from the club. While Kante’s alternative Jorginho’s future is far from clear at this moment.
Both of them are in their late 20’s and Rice is 21 years old. The Englishman will improve with time. With both Kante and Jorginho probably staying at the club for another 4 years, Rice can take up the defensive midfielder mantle from them. By that time he will be around 25 and he will still have plenty of peak years left him. He will also be more experienced by then.
5. Lampard’s charisma: We have often seen how players want to move to a particular club because of a manager. In 2017 Benjamin Mendy rejected Chelsea to play for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Both Chamberlin and Van Dijk rejected Chelsea to play for Klopp at Liverpool. However, since the arrival of Lampard, he has managed to convince players to play under him.
Recently Kai Havertz was saying that Lampard is a big manager for him. Even the likes of Ziyech, Chilwell, and Werner have spoken highly of him. Like these players, Rice could also be tempted to play under Lampard. The Chelsea legend is one of the best midfielders ever to grace the league, perhaps he could also learn a few tricks for Lampard.