West Ham United’s Declan Rice could yet play for England – and Irish fans aren’t happy.
Quite a lot of Republic of Ireland fans haven’t reacted well to the news that West Ham United’s Declan Rice could still play for England.
The 19-year-old West Ham centre-back is “still deliberating” over his international future, according to Irish manager Martin O’Neill, who didn’t include him in the squad to face Wales in a UEFA Nations League game next month.
Rice, who was born in London, has been capped three times by the Boys in Green, but could still represent England on the basis that they were not competitive outings.
The Hammers ace, who started the 4-0 defeat by Liverpool earlier this season, is one of the Premier League’s most exciting young players.
And here is how some Irish fans took the news that Rice is contemplating a change of allegiances:
From an Irish perspective, there is certainly shades of Jack Grealish about this one, but the Rice situation is bound to cut deeper.
The Aston Villa star never actually played for the Republic of Ireland’s senior side, so the disappointment was minimal when he declared for the Three Lions, whereas it seemed like the Irons prospect would represent the Irish at international level after playing the friendlies.
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