Maurizio Sarri has admitted West Ham midfielder Declan Rice ‘is a very good player’ amid speculation Chelsea are lining up a possible transfer move.
Despite facing a transfer ban for the next few windows, there has been a lot of transfer speculation about whom Chelsea could acquire during the summer transfer window in case their transfer ban gets overturned between now and the end of the season, with the Blues currently pleading their case.
And one name that has been named as a possible transfer target for Sarri is that of Rice, who has been very impressive for the Hammers this season after switching from the defence to the holding role at the club, with his displays even earning himself a England call-up by Gareth Southgate.
Now amid all the transfer speculation surrounding the England international, Sarri has admitted that Rice is a ‘very good player’ which has sent media outlets wild with rumours.
‘I think that he’s a very good player, very good in the defensive phase because he’s really very able to recover the ball,’ Sarri said.
‘He usually plays very close to the defensive line and, in the first match against West Ham, he was really a very big problem for us.
‘I think he is improving in the offensive phase. ‘He has improved during the season because I saw their last matches and I saw a very good midfielder.’
Here is what we think.
Rice is showing great potential and is on the verge of making a big move away from the Hammers, but it is just a shame that Chelsea cannot sign players in the coming transfer windows as West Ham would have seen Rice’s price tag skyrocket the more clubs that try and get a deal done.
Rice is class and the right move could see his career elevate to that very next level.