Chelsea handed a major boost in their bid to sign England midfielder Declan Rice
According to Football.London, Chelsea are handed a massive boost in their bid to sign England and West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
Rice, who was one of England and the tournament’s best players in the World Cup despite getting knocked out in the quarter-finals, has been a long-term transfer target for the Blues.
The latest on this is that there is an agreement between the player and West Ham that he can only stay at the London Stadium until the coming summer, meaning till the end of this season.
So, that potentially opens up an opportunity for Chelsea to make a move to sign him in the coming summer transfer window.
Rice was an Academy product of the Blues before moving to West Ham at a very early age. He came through the ranks in east London and has become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League in the last two years.
He is a defensive midfielder who can play there as a lone number six or operate in a double pivot. For the Hammers, he has had an eye for a goal as well.
In terms of quality, the Englishman is good at quick coverage of the ground to help the team out defensively. His passing range has improved a lot in recent months and he is a physical presence in both boxes in set-piece situations.
With the future of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho up in the air following their contract expiry at the end of this season, Chelsea could have Rice as an ideal defensive midfield successor from next season onwards.
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He ticks all the boxes to be a right fit for the Blues. Squad adjustment shouldn’t be a concern knowing his best friend Mason Mount is still at Cobham.