PARTY ON TOP DEC
Hammers legend McAvennie: Keep hold of midfield general Rice and we can join the elite in Champions League
KEEP Declan Rice for another year and a Champions League place is within reach.
That is the message from former West Ham legend, Frank McAvennie, on the eve of the new season.
David Moyes’ side were the surprise package of last season and looked set for a shock top-four place before Rice suffered an injury setback with the prize within reach.
The Hammers eventually fell out of contention after three defeats in their last seven matches.
But they can still look forward to a first European adventure since 2016/17 and their first-ever in the Europa League group stage appearance, after finishing sixth last time out.
And, according to McAvennie, there is plenty more to come with Moyes. “I think
Europe should be the minimum target for them,” he said.
“For a long time last season, it looked as if they were capable of finishing in the top four. That would have been an incredible achievement and, if Declan and Michail Antonio hadn’t got injured, then I think they would have probably made it.
“They just showed how far the club had come. A lot of that is down to Declan and the energy he gives the side.
“You saw what he did for
England in Euros, he just has so much energy and so much ability.
“He has been sensational and there’s no doubt that clubs will come in for him and keep coming in for him because he’s a worldclass performer.
“He still has three years left on his contract, so the club will cash in on him at some point. But if he stays at
West Ham for one more season, then there’s no reason why this season can’t be just as successful as last season – maybe even more successful.”
Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for the midfielder.
But, as West Ham prepare to take on Newcastle at St James’ Park this afternoon, it looks increasingly likely that Rice will still be a Hammer by the time the transfer window slams shut.
That will be music to the ears of the club’s fans, who will be desperate to watch their team in action after spending so much of the past 18 months twiddling their thumbs on a matchday.
When they do return, they will see a side that has been very much built in the mould of their Scottish manager.
“That was the one shame last season, the fact that the fans weren’t there to see this side play,” added McAvennie (above), who was part of the West Ham side that finished third in the old First Division back in 1985/86.
“There are a lot of characters in this team and I’ve got absolutely no doubt that they won’t be intimidated by having those fans back in the ground.
“It’s a team that David has been able to build himself. He has been able to bring in the players he wants – this is a team that never stops working, never stops believing.”
At the start of their campaign, they will be dreaming of a repeat of last season. All they want is a slightly different ending.