This may be a good time to remind ourselves of Declan Rice’s commitment to West Ham.
Having spent so many years watching our best players get snapped up at the drop of a big club’s hat our pessimism in being able to hold onto our guys is understandable.
But there are a couple of factors at work within the club and the head of our defensive midfielder which are worth bearing in minds before giving way to a wave of depression.
First, he gave an interview to BT Sport about a weeks ago and it really is difficult not to believe every word he said given the passion with which he spoke.
It followed all the talk of a big club coming for him and here’s what he said:
“I’m happy. I’m playing week in week out. I have a special connection with the fans. It’s unbelievable [the London Stadium]. “I love every minute of being at West Ham.
“If you think about it too much you get caught up in it. I’m only 20, you’ve got your whole career ahead of you.
“I’m just focused on playing for West Ham and playing with a smile on my face and enjoying it.”
Declan was captain of the Under 23s of course and is still very close to the other youngsters bursting through from the club’s grass roots.
Speak to anybody close to him and they will tell you that he wants to become part of a Hammers team that has seen three of four of his contemporaries at under 23 level join him at this level.
I’m not naive enough to believe that were a mega offer to come in he and the club would not be tempted but it is not on the horizon at this stage anyway and to be playing every week is what it’s all about for Declan at this stage of things
There’s room for optimism that he will be around for a good while yet.
I appreciate the optimism Hugh and for sure Dec has that connection with the fans, as with all the great players we have had, whether they stay eventually comes down to whether they see progress within the team, Players like Noble or Le Tissier probably being a better example are as rare as hens teeth, most want to win trophies and play with higher quality players rather than struggle to realise their ambitions. Add to this Rice has already shown he is career focused by choosing England over Ireland after being promoted by the FAI as a future key member of the Irish team, he has a bright future and barring continual investment in the team I am less optimistic but nevertheless hopeful we can keep him for a while.