West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has made it clear in no uncertain terms that he is a Chelsea supporter.

Although it has been widely reported that both the player and his family are big fans of the Blues, the England international has now put it on record in an interview. While he knows that won’t sit well with Hammers supporters, he says he has equal affection for the club he currently plays for:

“Growing up the whole family was Chelsea yeah. I feel like it’s out there, everyone knows, it’s well documented. I feel like when you play for a club like West Ham you become really affiliated to it and part of me now, and my family as well, is massive West Ham fans as well.”

Reports earlier this week claimed that Chelsea are likely to revive their interest in Rice this summer, with Manchester City and Manchester United also expected to get involved in the battle for the 23-year-old.

Whether Rice will get his head turned, we shall have to wait and see, but it will make it far easier to persuade the player into staying if West Ham can qualify for the Champions League this season. It will be a tall order, considering the lack of activity in the transfer market last month, but finishing fourth is still a realistic possibility.