Frank Lampard is keen to bring Declan Rice back to Chelsea
According to Football Insider (h/t Express), Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is willing to part with three stars to bring Declan Rice back to Stamford Bridge.
The Hammers star was on Chelsea’s rolls as a youngster. He was released in 2014 following which he moved across the city to West Ham United.
The Blues have come to regret that decision as Rice continued to go from strength to strength. He is today one of the best young defensive midfielders in the league – someone Chelsea could have done with this season.
With Chelsea now keen to add to their rearguard, Rice has emerged as a prospective target. According to the report, Lampard is willing to let go, defenders, Fikayo Tomori, and Kurt Zouma with striker Michy Batshuayi also available.
Tomori enjoyed a promising start to the season but has since fallen down the pecking order. Injuries too have not helped his case.
Zouma, on the other hand, started the season as the club’s first-choice center-back, but eventually lost his place to Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger. He has received his fair share of opportunities but has failed to inspire confidence.
His deficiencies were laid bare in the 3-0 humbling against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last week. In his defence though, none of the back four came out with any credit that night.
Hammers’ boss David Moyes will be keen to add to his attack in the summer, provided his team escapes relegation. West Ham had earlier been interested in Batshuayi whose time at Chelsea appears to be over.
Whether they can be convinced into taking the Belgian remains to be seen.
Rice also shares a fantastic relationship with Mason Mount, alongside whom he came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge. The chance to rekindle that partnership could sway the deal in our favour.
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Rice is not only a commanding defender/defensive midfielder, but also adds leadership and communication at the back. Qualities that the Blues desperately require.
If he joins, he will be a part of a promising group of youngsters who could go on to form the core of our squad for the next decade.