Tottenham coach Yaya Toure has mocked Declan Rice for having three Spurs shirts up in a frame at home, given the rivalry between West Ham and the north Londoners.
The Ivory Coast legend surprised the England international with a visit to his house as part of a feature for Goal, and he probably regretted letting the 39-year-old inside after he joked about his decorative Tottenham gear.
Tottenham coach visits West Ham captain
Well, Rice has admitted that Toure – who coaches the Under-16 side at Tottenham – is his icon, hence why Goal set the pair up for a meeting.
The West Ham No.41 knew what Toure was doing as soon as he exclaimed the word “Tottenham” and burst into laughter, with Rice saying “yeah I know” – aware that some Hammers fans may not agree with the captain of West Ham having Spurs shirts decorating his home.
The 23-year-old has the names of Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and Heung-min Son framed in his home.
Nevertheless, it shouldn’t be read into that much – Toure saw an opportunity to poke some fun, and he took it.
Rice also has a Rio Ferdinand shirt framed, as well as jerseys from Neymar, John Terry, Harry Maguire, Paul Gascoigne and his good friend Mason Mount.
He surely won’t join Tottenham, but Rice could leave West Ham
Rice’s contract situation at West Ham is certainly interesting, with plenty of Premier League sides keeping an eye on the England international.
In the video, Toure joked that Rice should join Tottenham, although Spurs have not been linked with a move, and the 23-year-old surely wouldn’t ruin his reputation among West Ham fans by joining their bitter rivals.
According to Simon Phillips, Liverpool and Chelsea are the sides fronting the queue for Rice, who will have just 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of the season.
That leaves West Ham in a difficult position – they can either sell their talisman in 2023, or keep him for another season at the risk of losing him for nothing in 2024.
Whatever happens, Rice has a bright future wherever he goes, and if he can avoid serious injuries, he could certainly go on to match Toure’s Premier League legacy.
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