Don Hutchison has suggested that West Ham United captain, Declan Rice, and Borussia Dortmund’s sought-after star, Jude Bellingham, wouldn’t want to join Chelsea because of their current mess and uncertainty.
The former Liverpool player thinks the England duo will feel that they are currently ‘better than’ Graham Potter’s Chelsea given their abject run of performances, as he told ESPN.
After sacking Thomas Tuchel, the result and performances of those at Stamford Bridge have gone backwards, including getting knocked out of both domestic cups and currently sitting tenth in the Premier League table.
Whilst Liverpool need an overhaul in the middle of the park, they don’t have the financial muscle of Chelsea, with Bellingham a top transfer target of Jurgen Klopp’s.
Both of England’s midfield could be on the move during the summer transfer window, with Hammers star Declan Rice also being looked at by the Reds, amongst others.
Despite new owner Todd Boehly splashing the cash in record-breaking fashions, Hutchison thinks they will struggle to sign the likes of Rice and Bellingham, which would boost Liverpool’s chances of signing either player, as European expert Julian Laurens first shared his thoughts.
“He (Koulibaly) must be thinking ‘what have I done by coming here’? (with Napoli sitting top of Serie A)'” said Laurens. “Which gets me to the point, if you are Enzo Fernandez right now or let’s say another player that Chelsea (wants to sign).”
Hutchison interrupted and said: “Let’s say Declan Rice.”
Laurens then continued and added: “Would you go to Chelsea? Really? With the uncertainty of the manager because we don’t know. Half of that squad could be gone. Where you might not have Champions League football for a bit of time now. That’s surely not appealing to a player like Declan Rice or Enzo Fernandez, or whoever.”
Hutchison added: “It’s not. Players do their homework. Players follow all the teams across Europe and they watch them closely. If you are analysing the move to Chelsea, the size of the contract is one thing, so that could sway you ‘Oh, I fancy that. Salary might triple. Financially secure. But where am I playing?’
“Playing for a team that’s sitting in tenth. I am better than that. If you are Jude Bellingham or Declan Rice. The list goes on.”
BELLINGHAM AND RICE – ENGLAND’S FUTURE
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Gareth Southgate regularly paired Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham together.
This is probably a midfield pairing that will be put together in years to come for England, especially if the duo take that step up in the summer and continue to rise as players.
Rice has played in Europe for the Hammers, but he wants Champions League football and his performances in recent years are now deserving of it.
Whilst Bellingham is still playing at the highest level, he will feel that playing in a more competitive league and a bigger club than Dortmund will also take his game to another level.
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