Jamie Redknapp predicts interest in Declan Rice, believes he faces ‘tough decisions’

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West Ham United drew 0-0 with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that he thinks Declan Rice has been ‘crucial’ in West Ham United’s recent upturn – and believes he has a tough decision to come.

The Hammers were in action against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, looking for another positive result having beaten Everton 3-1 last weekend.

Chelsea dominated the ball, as they do under Maurizio Sarri, but West Ham became the first team this season to prevent Chelsea from claiming a win, as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

It could have been even better for West Ham had Andriy Yarmolenko not headed wide a late chance to win the game, but Manuel Pellegrini will be pleased with another point.

West Ham appear to be turning the corner after a difficult start to the season, and midfielder Rice continues to impress under Pellegrini this term.

Predominantly a centre back, Rice has been pushed into a holding midfield role, and starred against Chelsea, having already attracted praise for his performance against Everton a week earlier.

Now, pundit Jamie Redknapp – son of former Hammers boss Harry – has told the Daily Mail that he thinks Rice has been ‘crucial’ to West Ham’s upturn over the past two games, but still believes that he will be a centre back in the future.

Redknapp predicts that a host of clubs will want to sign Rice given that he has yet to sign a new contract, and also believes that the 19-year-old faces a tough decision on his international future, with England and the Republic of Ireland vying for his services.

“Declan Rice has been crucial to West Ham’s upturn in form,” said Redknapp. “While I believe he will spend most of his career at centre back, playing in midfield is sharpening him up and improving his passing. He has given West Ham a physical presence in the middle. A lot of clubs will be sniffing around Rice. He also has to choose whether to play for England or the Republic of Ireland. He has some tough decisions on the horizon,” he added.