Manchester City manager Pepe Guardiola has been speaking about the ‘exceptional Declan Rice’ during his press conference.
Ahead of tonightâs game at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola was speaking to the media and noted The Hammers have one player he described as exceptional.
Declan Rice is set to have many suitors at the end of the season but Manchester City have not been one of the most prominent clubs linked to the midfielder.
âWest Ham maybe didnât do in the Premier League this season they expected like they have for the past two seasons, but David Moyes has been exceptional and that doesnât mean the quality isnât there,â he told the assembled media.
âThe quality is there. At set-pieces they are maybe one of the best, scored three goals against Crystal Palace in their last match, they attack the channels with Antonio and Bowen, Declan Rice is an exceptional player.
âThe weapons are there, they are a good team, they didnât do a good season like they expect but the weapons are there. I donât have doubts that in one game anything can happen thatâs why we have to be absolutely ready.â
Rice is coveted by a number of Premier League teams, though David Moyes said back in February that it would take a British record fee to see him move away from the London Stadium.
In recent days Real Madrid have also been added to the list of admirers as have Chelsea, although the West London club can’t now meet Rice’s stipulation of Champions League football.
Arsenal continue to lead the race, but the West Ham board will be delighted to hear Guardiola speaking so highly of the “Exceptional Declan Rice”.