Joe Cole says every club expect Real Madrid will want Declan Rice
‘The clock is ticking on his career’: Joe Cole says every top-tier club except Real Madrid will be looking to sign Declan Rice… and insists the England star should join a side challenging for Champions League places
- Rice is expected to leave in West Ham when his contract at the club expires
- Manchester United, Chelsea and several club are interested in his services
- Joe Cole says he won’t be surprised if Rice decided to leave in the summer
Joe Cole says every top-tier club in Europe, expect from Real Madrid, will be looking to sign Declan Rice in the summer.
The 24-year-old England international is expected to leave in West Ham in a big-move when his contract at the club expires in the summer of 2024.
Cole says he wouldn’t be surprised is Rice left West Ham as he previously spoke about his desire to play Champions League football while away at the World Cup.
‘Every club in Europe will be looking at Declan because of what he brings to the team,’ Cole told BTSport.com.
‘The only club I’d probably rule out is maybe Real Madrid because of [Toni] Kroos, [Luka] Modric, [Federico] Valverde, [Aurelien] Tchouameni and [Eduardo] Camavinga… but every other club needs a midfielder and Rice is as good as anyone.’
Joe Cole says every top-tier club in Europe, expect from Real Madrid, will be looking to sign Declan Rice in the summer
The 24-year-old England international is expected to leave in West Ham in a big-move when his contract at the club expires in the summer of 2024
Cole – who represented West Ham before leaving the club in 2003 – went on to speak about his own experience.
The BT Sport pundit said: ‘I’ve been in Rice’s shoes. You’re fighting, you’re fighting and you’re fighting for your club and you want to win trophies and then you speak to your mates in the England squad and it can be frustrating.
‘I’m sure Declan would love West Ham to be challenging for the Champions League places and for there to be a new plan with a new owner, but he’s got a decision to make at the end of the season.’
When asked about his desire to play in the Champions League at the World Cup in Qatar, Rice said: ‘It is as urgent as possible. I feel like, not only for me, that’s for every young player as well.
‘We are really close with West Ham at the minute and last season it was gutting to lose out on it but we are pushing.
‘We’ll keep going. Champions League is a big aim of mine and hopefully one day I can play in it and do well.
‘I feel like I am one of the established top players around the world. I am only 23, so I am still young — that’s what I mean in that sense — but in terms of my playing ability and the way I’ve performed consistently, I see myself as an established player now who’s got good experience and can play at any level if required.’
Cole says he wouldn’t be surprised is Rice left West Ham as he previously spoke about his desire to play Champions League football while away at the World Cup
David Moyes recently admitted it was ‘only a matter of time’ before Rice decided to leave West Ham.
‘Undoubtedly he’s going to be a top player and undoubtedly he’ll be a British transfer record and more whenever he leaves West Ham,’ said manager Moyes.
Chelsea and Manchester United are understood to be interested in the England international, who is reportedly valued at more than £100million by his current side.
Source: Read Full Article