Sam Allardyce believes that Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea should have signed Declan Rice before the midfielder left David Moyes’s West Ham United for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Arsenal signed Declan Rice from London and Premier League rivals West Ham United in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners reportedly paid the Hammers an initial transfer fee of £100 million for Rice.
The 24-year-old has hit the ground running at Arsenal and has established himself as one of the first names on the Gunners’ teamsheet.
Rice is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
The England international is also able to operate in defence.
Chelsea told they should have signed Declan Rice before Arsenal transfer
Former West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce believes that Chelsea should have signed Rice before they brought in Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea paid £100 million in transfer fees for midfielder Caicedo.
Allardyce said about Chelsea and Rice on No Tippy Tappy Football: “They should have done.
“They should have bought him.
“They should have bought Declan before Caicedo.”
Chelsea were linked with Declan Rice
Declan Rice was actually at Chelsea as a youngster.
Rice, now 24, was on the books of Chelsea from 2006 until 2013.
The midfielder then moved to West Ham and developed his game before becoming a star player in the first team.
Rice is now starring for Arsenal.
Interestingly, Chelsea were linked with a move for Rice in the summer transfer window.
The Telegraph reported in September 2023 that although Chelsea had an interest in Rice, the Blues did not want to “an English premium” placed on the midfielder.
Rice has made 215 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
The England international has scored 12 goals and given 11 assists in those games.
Arsenal are aiming to win the Premier League title this season, while Chelsea’s main objective this campaign is to end up in the top four.
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