DON’T LET RICE ROW BOIL OVER BECAUSE DECLAN CAN BE A HAMMERS GREAT
Zabaleta calls on West Ham to sort out their contract stand-off with teenage sensation
PABLO ZABALETA has urged West Ham to resolve their contract stand-off with Declan Rice to help the teenager become one of the club’s greatest-ever players.
Mirror Sport understands 19-year-old Rice, influential against Chelsea on Sunday, has already been offered a lucrative new deal at the London Stadium.
But the terms have been rejected by the centre-back, who can also play in midfield, sparking fears he could be snapped up by a bigger club.
The Irons are confident they have nothing to worry about as Rice has nearly three years remaining on his current deal. But Zabaleta has warned West Ham not to be complacent.
The former Manchester City full-back said: “He has the ability and attitude to become of one of the greatest players for West Ham.
“West Ham need to think about his situation because he is proving every week that he can perform. Of course he has a lot more to learn as a player but we need to look after him and keep his feet on the ground because, even at 19 or 20, when you play two or three good games in this league you attract attention.
“He is one of those young players who you like to look after and help with all the information you can give to him. You try to help out as much as you can, but then there are people who make the decisions in this football club about contracts and there is nothing you can do about it.”
Rice, who has yet to choose between England and the Republic of Ireland at international level, played a key role in the 0-0 draw on Sunday as the Hammers became the first side to take points off Chelsea this season.
Zabaleta, who won 58 caps for Argentina, added: “Declan is young so we don’t need to put any more pressure on him now. We need to help him to keep improving. He is playing in a club that has got four points so far this season so you cannot think about playing in the Champions League and all those other competitions.
“Let’s go step by step – let’s not put any
more pressure on him. At the moment he is playing for West Ham and doing really well for himself.
“He looks mature and has got the right attitude to become one of the greatest players at the club.
“There was all the stuff about the Ireland and England teams and you have to know how to manage those situations.
“But it is important for his family and all the players around him to look after him.”