THE IRONS GIANT
Declan Rice can be at heart of Pellegrini’s Hammers defence says Ex-ireland and United full-back Joey O’brien
Low claimed he agonised over last week’s decision to leave him out - and likened it to a photo finish in a 100m sprint.
He stressed that Sane will be part of his plans after the World Cup but said the wide man ‘has not arrived in international matches yet’ despite being a ‘huge talent’.
But Hamann feels that Low’s decision to take Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt ahead of the 22-year-old is a risk.
“I wouldn’t say it was a shock because there were one or two players who people thought might stay behind,” said Hamann.
“The manager probably felt that maybe Sane thinks about himself a little bit too much and not enough about the team.
“But this is why Low is appreciated - people like him because he makes big decisions. If he has to make a call, he does it.”
Hamann added: “I’d have taken him because you don’t get a better substitute than him with 20 or 30 minutes to go.” MANUEL PELLEGRINI has been urged to build his West Ham defence around rising Republic of Ireland star Declan Rice.
The teenager is in the middle of a contract standoff with the Hammers after rejecting their terms on an improved deal.
Rice, 19, made his Premier League debut at the end of the 2016/17 season but was an established member of the side last season.
Slaven Bilic had no qualms pitching him into the mix and when David Moyes succeeded him as boss in November, the Scot did the same.
Rice, who made 31 appearances in the top flight, was a key man in their dicey but ultimately successful bid to beat the drop.
But Hammers fans are angered by reports that club chiefs have offered Rice a new deal of £15.000 per week, when the player himself wants double that.
Ex-ireland international Joey O’brien was aware of Rice during his own West Ham days and isn’t surprised to see the London-born star making giants strides.
And O’brien is convinced that Rice’s career trajectory can continue to soar providing the former Man City and Real Madrid boss (below) continues to back him.
“It’s a massive season with a new manager and hopefully he gets into the team and plays regularly – that can only benefit Ireland,” said O’brien.
“It’s all about the manager who’s there and they have a new one coming in. You’d like to think he’ll carry it on but he’ll bring in his own players too.
“You hope he’s in his plans and that he’ll start him so that progression can continue.”
Shamrock
Rovers defender
O’brien added:
“Declan was a young kid when
I was at West Ham.
There were a couple of players in that SOME of Joey O’brien’s biggest nights in football came on the European stage. And that’s why the Shamrock Rovers man is itching for Tuesday’s draw for the opening rounds of the Europa League qualifiers.
Cork City will discover their Champions League position ahead of him. But Slaven Bilic gave him his opportunity and he’s taken it really well. I’ve watched him at West Ham and also for Ireland and he looks the part.”
O’brien is hoping Rice’s contractual issues are ironed out so he can continue to thrive as a regular Premier League starter every week.
Outside of the Burnley contingent, Seamus Coleman at Everton and Brighton’s Shane Duffy, regular starts at that level are a rarity.
“Back when I was playing in England, you had a lot more Irish in the Premier League but it’s getting harder and harder,” said O’brien. “That’s the reality with the Premier League now, and the money around.
“You need a manager to back you and play you, to get that relationship with you and see what you’re about.” fate that day too, while Dundalk and Derry City join the Hoops in the Europa League hat.
At Bolton O’brien (left) mixed it in the old UEFA Cup with heavyweights like Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Marseille, Sevilla and Zenit.
He said: “My last memories of
West Ham are those nights, a full house at Upton Park. They’re great nights.
“And those days in Europe with Bolton, reallyn incredible nights.
“Those European nights are really special, playing different teams in different stadia.”