David Moyes has given yet another indication of why it would take mega Bank of England money for Declan Rice to be sold by the club.
The manager – whilst not exactly smarting from missing out on the Champions League – knows exactly why we are not part of what would have been a financial jackpot from being part of it.
And unsurprisingly he put it down to the absence of Declan for vital matches towards the end of the season via injury.
Sadly that in itself is a concern although with a player such as our crown jewel it’s an understandable reaction despite it showing the extent we rely on the guy and of course Tomas.
The Euro League is good but the Champions league would have been amazing and writing in his Times column per Hammers News, the manager gives his reasons as to why it didn’t happen.
He explained in pretty straightforward terms: “We won two and drew one and I have no doubt that losing him for six matches during the Premier League run-in is what stopped us getting in the Champions League,
“We finished two points behind Chelsea, who took the final qualifying place and things could have been very different if Declan had played in two huge games, versus Chelsea and Everton, which ended in narrow defeats.”
Bellingham looks like the kind of player that would slide in beside Soucek or Rice, though likely too expensive. We will all have a good look at the Czech players over the next few days, perhaps longer if they can surprise Croatia.
If there had been adequate cover within the squad in the shape of another effective defensive midfielder we may have finished in a Champions League place. This still begs the question why we are not bidding for Kral. Rice and Soucek cannot both be expected to play every minute of every game.
If Moyes believes this, then he must accept therefore that central midfield is an area in need of reinforcement next season.
Losing Oggy was the difference imo.