An ecstatic Declan Rice lifts the trophy

An ecstatic Declan Rice captained the Hammers to victory and followed in the footsteps of the great Bobby Moore, who wore the armband when West Ham won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.

And afterwards the 24 year old appeared to be having second thoughts on a departure. Every single on of us will be hoping so after he won his first medal in the game and saw the club return to the second most important tournament in Europe next season.

He became only the third West Ham captain to hoist a trophy into the air following Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds and  said: “It’s absolutely crazy to be in that conversation. I have played my heart out for this club for six years and I love being a West Ham player. I love this place to pieces.

“The fans have taken me to their hearts – they have been with me every step of the way and I don’t know what to say about them. I don’t have the words.”

The midfielder is expected to leave this summer with Arsenal favourites to sign him, but Rice insisted: “It is not a goodbye yet. I still have two years left on my contract.”

There is loads of speculation but nothing has happened. I am still a West Ham player. I have still got two years left on my contract. I love every minute of it. You can see the smile on my face. It is not about that tonight. It is about us celebrating and that’s what I am going to do now.

“It means everything. The lads have been so on it, but I’m not only happy for the fans and the manager but the staff. I’m just so, so happy. I absolutely love this club, they’ve taken me in as one of their own. I am just so happy.”

All fingers and much more will be crossed as these do not sound like the words of a man who really wants to leave the club ?