West Ham United fans are desperate to see rising young star Declan Rice tied down to a new long-term deal.
West Ham have endured a tough season but the emergence of young Declan Rice has been a major highlight.
Survival did not mask what was another poor season for West Ham on and off the pitch and supporters are demanding big changes from unpopular co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold.
They also want to see 19-year-old Rice rewarded with a new long term deal to keep hold of a player many believe will eventually replace Mark Noble as captain.
Rice has said he sees his immediate future with West Ham, as previously reported by HITC.com.
But his departing Republic of Ireland teammate John O’Shea had a not-so-subtle warning for the Hammers that Rice must be playing in Europe in the coming years, as reported by the likes of The Daily Mail.
“There are very good kids and it’s important that they play at the highest level possible,” O’Shea said of Rice and other emerging Irish talent as reported by the Mail.
“Declan Rice has that confidence, that comfort on the ball, you can see it — the ability and the type of personality that he has, it’s huge.
“I think one of the lads said, he’s a future captain way down the line — you can see it, without a doubt.
“Fingers crossed, he’ll keep progressing and play European football.
“But let’s enjoy him now as well – he’s playing Premier League, he’s coming over and loves being part of the squad, let’s enjoy that for the moment and enjoy watching him progress.”
Given West Ham’s struggles in the last two seasons European football looks a tough ask in the fiercely competitive Premier League.
And when the Hammers did get the chance to qualify for the Europa League in consecutive seasons under Slaven Bilic they were knocked out by Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu.
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