What price now for Rice? The ex-ireland midfielder who has world at his feet despite loss
HOW MUCH is Declan Rice worth now?
Now he has become one of English football’s major tournament superstars, can we even see a side without him in the foreseeable future?
It’s just over two years since he officially switched allegiance from Ireland to England after representing the nation of his paternal grandparents at underage level.
Now, what price would you put on the England midfielder’s discipline, his driving runs, his ability to time his interceptions to precision?
We could be about to find out this summer because West Ham’s finest put on against Italy yet another of the unfussy yet effective performances that have marked him down as a top-class talent.
Wasn’t this supposed to be the game in which he and Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips were overwhelmed by the pass masters of Italy?
Marco Veratti, Jorginho and Nicolo Barella are clearly superior technically but time and again Rice eased past them with the minimum of fuss to set his team-mates on _ their way in the final third of the pitch.
Like most midfield water carriers, the 22-year-old from Kingston-uponthames is viewed by some as the designated driver while the rest of the side are enjoying their big night out. Rice offers more, however. Much more. So much so that Chelsea remain interested in revisiting their decision to allow him to leave as a youngster.
And Manchester United could yet avail themselves of his talents as part of their summer spending spree to prove to their fans that they really are sorry about the Super League.
Rice’s representatives have already suggested to the Hammers that they would rather not sign a new deal at the moment and that they would like to be kept informed of any offers that come the Irons’ way.
In football speak that generally means one thing. We’ve all watched too much football and seen too many transfers pan out not to be well aware.
If, somehow, West Ham can keep Rice at the London Stadium then they would be benefiting next season from a player whose stature has blossomed during this football festival.
The protective shield he and Phillips managed to form in front of the back four has proven crucial to England’s European Championship run of conceding just one goal on the way to the final .
In this showpiece itself Rice sent Barella one way and then the other in the 24th minute.
The England midfielder’s first foray
into enemy territory came in the 28th minute. When Veratti – who was beginning to run the game in the first half – tried to play a one-two on the edge of the England box, Rice was there to nip that right in the bud.
Seven minutes before the break he showed his ability to roll with the punches when Chelsea left-back Emerson clattered him.
Either side of the interval Rice would go on another two mazy runs. One of which would see him taken out by right-back Gio Di Lorenzo as Italy fought to claw themselves back into the game.
By the time he exited stage left, Rice was exhausted – just as he had been when he was replaced in extra time in the Denmark win.
This has been a long tournament for him. But one he will learn from and improve.
It is just a case now of what colour club shirt he will make that improvement in.