Declan Rice has explained the conversations he has held with David Moyes and some of the West Ham United squad over his role in midfield this season, via football.london.
The England international has his eyes on occupying a greater box-to-box presence at the London Stadium. Rice believes he has more to offer Moyes with the freedom to push up the pitch more often than before.
He has already shown flashes of his potential to break between the midfield and offensive lines this term. The £60k-a-week anchor stormed up the pitch against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League a fortnight ago to score a great solo effort and double the Hammers’ lead.
Rice has also split defences with his passes, as well as storming runs, to create chances for West Ham. He now hopes to continue building on those parts of his game, and score more.
“Definitely, [pushing forward has been a focus this season],” Rice affirmed. “They are conversations me and the manager have had, and me and a couple of the players. I feel like I can keep adding to my game. I have the ability to keep adding to my game, keep going forward, keep making passes and I know, for sure, I can definitely score more.
“It is just about getting myself into that area of the pitch, but also offering that protection for the team, as well. I need to keep improving, of course. I like this role I’m playing where I’m defending, but I can go forward knowing that Tomas [Soucek] is behind me, as well.”
Is Rice’s future as a box-to-box midfielder for West Ham?
Rice has been a phenomenal anchor at the base of West Ham’s midfield over the past few seasons. He breaks up opposition play extremely well and distributes the ball effectively to offer a role in building attacks.
The 22-year-old has shown this season that he can offer more going forward, as well, to provide a greater threat. Rice already has one goal and two assists in seven appearances in all competitions this season, matching his total goal involvements for West Ham last term.
The 26-cap England international scored twice and assisted once in 2020/21 for a joint- best return of goals. He achieved a personal-best four assists in 2019/20 over 40 outings.
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