RICE COMING TO THE BOIL
His mature performances in midfield may have come without fanfare but the Hammers star is adding value to his transfer fee with every display
DECLAN RICE is increasing his value with every performance at the World Cup.
He was outstanding against the US – reading the game, shielding the England defence and providing inch-perfect passing.
But perhaps the best compliment that can be paid to Rice is it almost went unnoticed as he is so consistent displays such as that have come to be expected of him.
The West Ham midfielder is only 23, but it feels as though he has been around a lot longer and he has become a player in demand.
Hammers fans are almost resigned to him leaving next summer but his price is going up, and could increase sharply after this tournament.
Boss David Moyes has valued him publicly at £150million but the reality is that with Rice having turned down a new deal and his contract running down, the club’s resolve might be tested at the £80m mark.
Chelsea, perhaps Rice’s biggest long-term admirers, are watching developments, while Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City have looked at him in the past.
Chelsea’s efforts to land him may depend on getting into the Champions League because that is where Rice belongs. Missing out would raise questions over whether he would be interested in a move to Stamford Bridge and whether they can afford him.
City boss Pep Guardiola has described Rice as an “exceptional player”, adding: “He will be a top English player for many years to come.”
That is praise indeed coming from the best manager in the world and also knowing Guardiola coached Sergio Busquets, who perhaps remains the model holding midfielder from the all-conquering Spain and Barcelona sides. Sits, shields, passes.
That is what Rice does for England in such a quiet, unassuming way.
It is almost possible to forget how the anchorman role was such a problem in the past for England.
For a long time there was no one up to the job. Then there was no back-up for Jordan Henderson. It is easy to overlook how Rice made his England debut only in March 2019, has won 36 caps since and does not turn 24 until January 14.
This is a player with the world at his feet and so adaptable he can dovetail brilliantly with Jude Bellingham or Henderson as he knows when to stick or twist.
His partnership with Kalvin Phillips at last year’s Euros was the heartbeat of England’s midfield and their driving force. It was also Rice – in the heat and humidity of the Al Bayt Stadium in the middle of the desert – who worked tirelessly to shield the defence in the US game.
The praise which was richly deserved for the centre-half pairing of Harry Maguire and John Stones should also be heaped on Rice.
He sat, controlled and, even while England were being overrun and outnumbered in midfield, kept his discipline and did his job.
As Gareth Southgate thinks about changes through this tournament, the West Ham skipper is one player he cannot afford to leave out.
Whoever gets Rice next summer will be signing a player who has proved himself at two major international tournaments.
He has yet to play in the Champions League but has been at the World Cup – enough to prove his quality and worth to potential buyers.
His performances have not been as good for the Hammers this season as last, but that is the case for a few of his team-mates too.
But as soon as he pulls on his England shirt, it is guaranteed he will raise his game to look very much at home on the world stage.