Report: West Ham may have found Rice safety net
Son of Harry appears to be dwelling on the possible departure of Declan for Chelsea as a more than a probability and what we may do as a club should that happen.
It makes a column in the Daily Mail of course despite being based on ifs and buts .
Iin the real world a fee of £70 million minimum would be involved for a switch which would only happen should N’Golo Kante leave the Bridge.
The likelihood is that Declan will be around for another season given that mega signings are going to be a thing of the past this summer.
And if that turns out to be the case he and Soucek look set to form a partnership which can push West Ham onwards to something special with the energy of Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals a major plus.
Redknapp said: “West Ham’s owners will be delighted but at the same time frustrated. This isn’t a squad who should be securing safety with a game or two to go. Now that their Premier League status is all but assured, I’m wondering what’s next for Declan Rice.
“He is the beating heart of that team, alongside Mark Noble. Maybe the emergence of Tomas Soucek will mean it is not the end of the world for West Ham if Rice leaves for pastures new.”
He would appear to believe that sticking Soucek into a deeper role may restrict some of his attacking ability, so that’s certainly something for West Ham to consider.
He seems to be at his best when he has the freedom to break into the box, something that Rice doesn’t really do. Ideally, West Ham would have both starting next season.