ZAM: TOP MAN DEC

BY BOBBY ZAMORA reckons West Ham’s best bit of business this summer will be keeping Declan Rice – and has tipped the England man to take the World Cup by storm.

Rice has been heavily linked with moves to Chelsea and Old Trafford, but last season David Moyes said it would cost £150million to sign him.

Hammers legend Zamora (above), whose goal against Preston in the 2005 Championship final clinched his boyhood club a place in the Premier League, claims Rice is not given the credit he deserves.

The 41-year-old said: “The best thing West Ham have done this summer is not letting Declan Rice go – I see that as a signing in itself.

“He’s still underrated and, until he goes to one of the big four in the Premier League, I don’t think people will actually see how good he is.

“He’s not going to get you 20 goals a season from midfield, but he’s like a N’golo Kante in winning the ball, although I think Declan has a bit more talent.

“He can also drive forward – in fact he can do everything extremely well.”

Rice (right) and Kalvin

Phillips formed an outstanding partnership in England’s midfield as Gareth Southgate’s side reached the Euro 2020 final last summer, losing to Italy in the final. With the World Cup in Qatar looming, Zamora said: “I think this could be Declan’s tournament. “This can be a huge season for him – for club and country.” Moyes’ Hammers travel to Nottingham Forest today, aiming to bounce back from last week’s opening-day home defeat to Manchester City. Zamora believes his old club can make further progress, but warned: “This will be such a strange season with the World Cup in the middle of it. “It’s all about managing that period with the boys who are going to the World Cup and the ones who aren’t. “It’s about managing their fitness, hunger and desire for when the Premier League resumes because that will be key for every team. “West Ham, though, have made some quality signing and can hopefully kick on again.”