Liverpool ‘closely monitoring’ West Ham United’s Declan Rice
According to Football Insider (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are ‘closely monitoring’ the situation of Declan Rice at West Ham United amid calls for a complete midfield overhaul in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
With the Reds’ chances of getting long-term target Jude Bellingham on board at Anfield seeming somewhat slimmer than what would be ideal, it would make a lot of sense for the Reds to look for alternatives.
Rice is a 23-year-old primarily defensive midfielder who can play advanced roles, as well as chipping in as centre-back. Named as West Ham United captain after Mark Noble’s retirement, he is among the world’s finest young midfield talents.
In 215 appearances across all competitions for West Ham, the Chelsea academy graduate has 11 goals and as many assists. However, for a holding midfielder, G/A contributions do not matter as much as their defensive stability and presence of mind in transitioning play.
Moreover, for a top European team like Liverpool, the squad depth the Reds have is absolutely shocking. There is not enough backup for the midfielders, and the current lot is not getting any younger by the day.
Someone like Declan, who is a proven Premier League player could possibly be an excellent signing for the Reds. With the Reds’ pursuit of Jude Bellingham appearing to be tougher as the days pass by, it becomes extremely crucial for Liverpool to have a player or two in mind who could emulate the role they envisioned Jude to play at the club.
Nevertheless, the number of midfielders linked with the club are plenty. Other big names include Frenkie de Jong, Ismael Bennacer and Mason Mount among others. However, Rice is someone Jurgen Klopp admires, and hence, that could be a factor in luring the midfielder to Anfield.
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Rice started in England’s 6-2 win against Iran in their World Cup opener. The fact that he is one of the Three Lions’ most integral players in the event might help inflate his already towering £100m valuation.
