West Ham United will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday night.
Alan Shearer has warned West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice to not ‘disappear’ in seven or eight years time and maintain his desires as his career progresses.
The 20-year-old ace is enjoying a breakthrough campaign at the London Stadium this season, with his performances winning plaudits from pundits and supporters alike.
Most recently, he was capped by England and played for Gareth Southgate’s side as they continued their march towards the European Championships in 2020.
Speaking to Football Focus on BBC One (06/04/2019 at 12:55 pm), Shearer believes Rice has a ‘big’ future ahead of him, but he did warn him to stay on track.
“Yes, he’s got a big, big future,” Shearer told Football Focus. “He’ll be offered so much in the next three or four years. It’s how he controls all of that.
“He has to have the right attitude to keep the same desire because we have seen so many youngsters 19, 20, 21 come into the game, do very well and then sort of disappear seven or eight years later. I think he could be different. I’m trying to say that without looking at Kevin [Kilbane].”
At this moment in time, Rice will be preparing for his side’s short trip across London where they will take on rivals Chelsea on Monday night.
Rice came through the ranks at Chelsea before he was released, picked up by West Ham and now he is a regular member of their senior side.
Last season, David Moyes brought the teenager into the starting XI, playing him at centre-back before Manuel Pellegrini opted to utilise him in the number six role and he hasn’t looked back since.
There is no doubt that Rice has been one of the best performing defensive-midfielders in the country this season and he will be hoping to continue his ways as the season draws to a close.
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