Speaking on the All to Play for Podcast, Joe Cole has claimed that West Ham face a bit of an uphill battle to keep hold of Declan Rice, claiming that his future may be dependant on whether or not the Hammers qualify for Europe.
The London outfit are certainly in the mix of teams that could qualify for the Europa League, and Cole believes that Rice’s future depends on this amid strong links to Chelsea.
“I can see both, I think what happens in the next three months at West Ham, if West Ham could nick European football, Europa League, I think he should stay because there’s progress,” Cole said.
“I’m just putting myself in the lads boots, there’s progress now if that’s the, case, but if that’s not the case and he doesn’t play for England at the Euros and they go for someone else in his position his head will be turned, so we’ve got an opinion, but it’s going to change in the next few months.”
Cole says he’s putting himself in Rice’s shoes, but let’s not forget that he once stood exactly where Rice is.
Cole was a West Ham academy product being coveted by Chelsea, and he of course famously made the switch across London. However, it was a very different situation back then.
Indeed, West Ham were relegated just before Cole left, while they’re are currently pushing for Europe with Rice in the squad, so it’s a different situation entirely.
Reports linking Rice to Chelsea are bound to crop up again in the summer, so it’s worth keeping an eye on this situation as it unfolds.
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