Rice display surely has West Ham duo shaking in their boots

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Declan Rice impressed against Manchester City as West Ham lost 2-1.

West Ham United defender Declan Rice’s performance was one of the many positives David Moyes will take from the Hammers’ 2-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

The 18-year-old was tasked with keeping City’s attack at bay, as the likes of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling looked to put West Ham’s shaky defence to the sword.

However, four-time Ireland Under-21 international Rice was more than their match, preventing any of City’s attackers from finding the back of the net as Angelo Ogbonna handed West Ham a surprise lead with a well-placed header.

However, Nicolas Otamendi and David Silva replied with second-half goals to edge out the Hammers in a match that showed Moyes’ side are improving under the stewardship of the Scotsman.

It will leave crocked West Ham defenders Jose Fonte and James Collins shaking in their boots, as Rice continues to impress in their absence with their future at the London Stadium in doubt.

Fonte, 33, has come under huge criticism since joining the east Londoners come from Southampton in January 2017, yet to prove why the Hammers splashed out £8million on a player nearing the end of his career.

Similarly, retired Wales defender Collins is nearing the end of his playing days at the age of 34, and has just a matter of months remaining on his current deal which expires in June.

With Rice almost half both players’ age, it will come a huge wake-up call to both stars, as they could slip even further down the Hammers pecking order with Winston Reid and Ogbonna likely to be preferred by Moyes as first choice.

Collins remains out with a hamstring injury after suffering a setback with the Under-23 side while Fonte is sidelined until the new year, and both players should be considering their futures.

They will be both looking to get the most out of their remaining years in professional football and if Rice continues to shine, then they will be forced to leave the club and look for pastures new.