Declan Rice has managed to force his way back into the West Ham starting XI recently.
Jamie Carragher believes that rising star Declan Rice could become West Ham’s talisman during the next few years.
The versatile 19-year-old has thrived as a defensive midfielder so far this campaign and looked impressive in recent games against Everton and Chelsea.
The Republic of Ireland international is currently in the spotlight due to his contract situation and is in the final two years of his deal at the London Stadium.
According to the Daily Mail, Rice is on just £3,000-a-week as it stands and the Hammers are willing to increase his wages to around £12,000-a-week.
But the player and his advisers aren’t prepared to discuss a new deal at that price, meaning there are concerns he could end up leaving.
Carragher feels Rice is well within his right to try earn a better deal and has tipped him for huge success moving forward.
“This is a lad who could be West Ham’s main man over the next five or six years so I think it’s unfair he gets the criticism for not accepting the first offer he’s given,” Carragher told talkSPORT.
According to the Daily Mirror, West Ham do remain confident of tying down Rice’s future despite the fact he may be holding out for £30,000-a-week.
Carragher has suggested Manuel Pellegrini’s side could be built around main man Rice and that is something that supporters would surely love to see due to his background in their academy.
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