Darren Bent has revealed that he thinks Declan Rice would be a much better fit for Chelsea than N’Golo Kante.
Bent told talkSPORT: ‘For me, I think Declan Rice would be an upgrade. Not only because he can play that role really, really well, he can get up the pitch, he’s got good energy, good pace, reads the game really well. He can also drop into centre-half too, so that’s two positions he can play.’
That is a very bold statement from the former Aston Villa striker.
Kante is one of Europe’s best in his position. The Frenchman led his country to World Cup glory while hoovering things up from a defensive-midfield position, and also helped Leicester and Chelsea win the Premier League title.
For Bent to say Rice would do a better job for Frank Lampard than the former Caen man is a brave opinion, but you can see where he’s coming from.
The Hammers academy graduate – who Transfermarkt state stands at 1.85m (6 foot 1 inch) is able to drop in at centre-back, something that Kante cannot do.
That would benefit Lampard hugely as the centre-back department is arguably the weakest at Stamford Bridge.
Even 36-year-old Thiago Silva has been signed to help a backline who shipped 54 goals last season, more than Crystal Palace and Burnley.
Furthermore, Rice has time on his side to develop at just 21 years of age, whereas Kante is closing in on his thirties at 29 years old.
Bent’s assessment of the situation might sound sensationalist on paper, but dig a little deeper and Rice might well be an upgrade on the World Cup winner for Chelsea.
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