Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy insisted that West Ham United’s star player, Declan Rice, should leave the club in an interview with talkSPORT.

Murphy expressed concern that the 24-year-old may be wasting his career at the Hammers. He mentioned a number of teams who could potentially bring him on board, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

In the interview, Murphy said: “Ideally he would have gone last summer because it’s been hard for him to maintain his best form in a team that doesn’t keep the ball or boss games as well as others. He’s 100% ready to move to the next level and at 24 won’t want to wait any longer for Champions League football.

“Arsenal would be a great option and I think he’d be an automatic starter. The lure of Chelsea is also strong, having grown up supporting the club and playing in their academy.”

West Ham fans will not like this line of thinking. However, if the Hammers fail to win qualification to the Champions League over the next few years, Murphy may have a point. Rice is clearly good enough to play European football at the highest level – but currently, West Ham cannot provide him with it.

Players remaining at clubs due to sentimental value can affect their overall career trajectory. Harry Kane is a good example of this – despite being one of the best strikers in world football, he has yet to win a major trophy.

It puts West Ham in the cross-hairs of a dilemma. On one hand, losing Rice would be a hammer blow for the Irons – but on the other, is it fair to hold back such a well-respected servant to the club?