Pellegrini has a number of decisions to make at West Ham.
Former West Ham United defender Joey O’Brien has told his old club’s website that Manuel Pellegrini must continue to play Declan Rice in order to further the young star’s development.
The 19-year-old has starred throughout the 2017-18 campaign, breaking into the side under Slaven Bilic before becoming a regular under David Moyes in the Hammers’ fight against relegation.
Rice managed 34 appearances in all competitions last season, and is now considered one of the club’s best central defenders despite the presence of Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid.
O’Brien, who played for the Hammers for five years between 2011 and 2016, has given Pellegrini his advice over Ireland international Rice – stating that the defender must continue to play to maximise his potential.
“It’s a massive season with a new manager and hopefully he gets into the team and plays regularly – that can only benefit Ireland,” O’Brien said.
“It’s all about the manager who’s there and they have a new one coming in. You’d like to think he’ll carry it on but he’ll bring in his own players too.
“From Declan’s point of view, you hope he’s in his plans and that he’ll start him so that progression can continue.”
Rice is yet to sign a new contract, after reports suggested that the Hammers offered him a small pay rise. The Guardian claim the Hammers offered Rice £15,000 a week, but the Irish star wants double that.
Pellegrini is likely to bring in a number of players including a central defender, with the club reportedly in talks with Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson. But O’Brien remains hopeful that Rice will remain first choice.
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