Robbie Mustoe thinks either Arsenal or Chelsea would be a ‘great’ next destination for Declan Rice if he leaves West Ham United in the summer.
The England international is set to be a huge talking point during the summer transfer window and Robbie Mustoe thinks Declan Rice would ‘suit’ a team like Arsenal.
Given that Mikel Arteta’s side are sitting at the top of the Premier League table. Might that provide them with an edge over Chelsea to sign players this summer?
Whether or not the Gunners are Premier League champions, they are going to be in the Champions League, whereas their London rivals are facing the possibility of finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
That puts them in a sticky situation when it comes to buying players in the summer, although, they have just splashed £600+ million on players.
Nonetheless, Robbie Mustoe spoke about the ‘£100 million’ price-tag on Rice’s shoulders and whether criticism of the ‘talented’ midfielder has been warranted, as he told NBC Sports.
“Yes, very possibly (Declan becoming better with better players around him),” said Mustoe. “I think when people talk about Declan Rice. I think it is very, very high on him. I get that little bit of criticism.
“If you are a talented player of £100+ million, which I am sure he’s going to go for, then, like Rodri, he sticks one in the top corner (v Bayern Munich). Maybe he could do a little bit more of that.
“Do we see him making those clever little passes behind like we have seen Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea? Of course, he is brilliant. But why not try to push him a little more to assist and play penetrative passes?
“Yes, I think Arsenal suits him. I think any team. Arsenal would be great. Chelsea. There are plenty of clubs that would want him. His contract is running out so he’s going to go this summer.”
DECLAN RICE V ARSENAL
On Sunday, Arsenal fans got a glimpse of what Rice could do for their team next season when he harmed their chances of winning the Premier League title.
At 2-0, it was the player himself who robbed the ball off Thomas Partey that then led to Gabriel fouling Lucas Paqueta in the penalty area, before the comeback started.
Whilst Rice has the skills set and defensive brain without the ball to work in Arteta’s system, is he able to thrive in a more possession-based system? Something which he has hardly been asked to do at West Ham.
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