West Ham youngster Declan Rice had another excellent game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The 19-year-old has made the holding midfield position his own since Manuel Pellegrini arrived as manager in the summer, and to demonstrate his impact, the Hammers’ official Twitter account shared a short video clip of just one excellent tackle he made against the Eagles:
The moments that go unnoticed… but not by us. @_DeclanRice ? pic.twitter.com/Cf5PvDXT0j
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) 11 December 2018
Many fans were comparing it to a West Ham legend:
Bobby Moore like
— Thomas ⚜️♦️ (@Optimistic_Ox_) 11 December 2018
I know it’s easy to overhype youngsters, but Rice genuinely could be brilliant. Hopefully he realises the value of hard work and keeps at it… And double hopefully the board sort a new contract
— Richard Vaughan (@richiejv) 11 December 2018
That tackle has Bobby Moore written all over it ⚒
— ⚒ Hammer Paul ⚒ (@tone_paul) 11 December 2018
I noticed….I saw Bobby Moore on that tackle, this boy is gold dust the club MUST secure his future at our club.
— Geoff ⚒ Lockwood ?? (@geoffl65) 12 December 2018
What a player we have here!! absolute immense ??
— lee adcock (@lee_adcock1) 12 December 2018
I think Declan has proved how important he is to the team, give him a big deal and captain after noble.
— andreas papadopoulos (@onlyonepaps) 12 December 2018
Best young talent in the premier league
— Hammers Social (@hammers_social) 12 December 2018
Follow Man City’s example, who this week, agreed a five year deal, £35,000 p.w. with eighteen year old Phil Foden.
— Paul (@Dukester12Paul) 11 December 2018
Well, give him a new contract.
— Black Lung (@JuhaWestHam) 11 December 2018
Of course, Rice has a very long way to go before he can be compared to the England icon, but his performances this season do deserve a lot of attention.
With Manchester United and Chelsea having been linked with the teenager in recent months, supporters are desperately hoping that West Ham can keep hold of him and that the player signs a new contract.
Recent reports claim that talks over a new deal have been postponed until the end of the season. The Hammers have offered Rice £15,000 a week, with appearances bonuses which could see him earn up to £40,000 a week.
However, the midfielder wants a higher basic wage, and with the player’s contract expiring in 2020, there is concern that he could leave the London Stadium.