Declan Rice

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Nou_Camp99

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Like to see him play under a more attacking manager than Moyes before we get giddy. Moyes's style suits player like Rice.

Ole has played far more open football of late so the DM gets more work to do and has to cover more ground. Potential is there but for now I think its a wait and see.
 

Schmeichel's Cartwheel

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Like to see him play under a more attacking manager than Moyes before we get giddy. Moyes's style suits player like Rice.

Ole has played far more open football of late so the DM gets more work to do and has to cover more ground. Potential is there but for now I think its a wait and see.
Moyes has always been an attacking manager when he’s got the players for it. Didn’t you see that game when we attempted 85 crosses with 80% possession? Domination.
 

UNITED ACADEMY

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Moyes has always been an attacking manager when he’s got the players for it. Didn’t you see that game when we attempted 85 crosses with 80% possession? Domination.
This must be a sarcastic. Rather than calling that as attacking, I would call it being clueless in his attacking tactic. Basically, telling his players to cross and leave it to luck.
 

Dave Smith

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Rice will only leave to go to Chelsea. You may as well forget about him. His whole family are hardcore Chelsea fans with a large number of them having season tickets. Rice himself had one before he had to focus on football. This isn't Sancho level where they were his favourite team, Rice was the type of kid that had the wallpaper and duvet set.

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com...says-he-would-love-to-play-with-chelsea-star/
 

croadyman

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Rice will only leave to go to Chelsea. You may as well forget about him. His whole family are hardcore Chelsea fans with a large number of them having season tickets. Rice himself had one before he had to focus on football. This isn't Sancho level where they were his favourite team, Rice was the type of kid that had the wallpaper and duvet set.

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com...says-he-would-love-to-play-with-chelsea-star/
I always expected that to be the case especially with his best mate playing there as well
 

Adnan

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Rice will only leave to go to Chelsea. You may as well forget about him. His whole family are hardcore Chelsea fans with a large number of them having season tickets. Rice himself had one before he had to focus on football. This isn't Sancho level where they were his favourite team, Rice was the type of kid that had the wallpaper and duvet set.

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com...says-he-would-love-to-play-with-chelsea-star/
That would be great for us because he'd cost alot of money and his ability doesn't warrant the likely fee West Ham will demand which will probably be around £70m. We can get someone just as good if not better for a lower price who is more proven IMO.
 

Jibbs

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I like him... but I like Kalvin Phillips more. Kalvin has that mean streak in him that is missing from most United players.
 

Okey

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A lot of these arguments show why good squad planning, preferably with a DoF or similar specific role, is so key to team progression. This is potentially the right time to move Fred on as he'll fetch a good sum, and keep McT. No need for 2 work horses with limited ball skills. Neither will ever become a competent DM. Get a proper one in with a view to replace Matic. I'd love Rice for the DM role but if West Ham ask for an arm and a leg as we expect, there's others available.
 

DarkXaero

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Rice will only leave to go to Chelsea. You may as well forget about him. His whole family are hardcore Chelsea fans with a large number of them having season tickets. Rice himself had one before he had to focus on football. This isn't Sancho level where they were his favourite team, Rice was the type of kid that had the wallpaper and duvet set.

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com...says-he-would-love-to-play-with-chelsea-star/
I don't think that ultimately means much in terms of what clubs he can play for. If West Ham accept a bid from us, and we're the only bidders, he's not going to turn a move down to us because of that.
 

mav_9me

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Used to think he was a defender being played in CM, similar to Eric Dier. Didn't rate him for that reason. But this season whenever I have seen him, his passing and carrying the ball has been spot on like a central midfielder. Would love to get him but suspect he will be too expensive. There are probably equally good cheaper alternatives.
 

Champagne Football

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Etienne Capoue is Watford player of the season. I think he'd be available for a peanuts as he's 31 and Watford are going down.

I think he'd be great cover for Matic, and a far more likely signing than Rice considering there won't be much left over after we hopefully land Sancho.
 

Highfather_24

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Matic/McTominay/Fred struggle when they are pressed and are under pressure. Would Rice really be an upgrade?
 

Judas

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Look Rice might have been a hardcore Chelsea fan, but he's already playing for bloody West Ham, if he was that hardcore about them, he wouldn't be doing that. People need to stop putting so much weight on who people supported when they were a child, it very rarely matters.
 

sun_tzu

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Look Rice might have been a hardcore Chelsea fan, but he's already playing for bloody West Ham, if he was that hardcore about them, he wouldn't be doing that. People need to stop putting so much weight on who people supported when they were a child, it very rarely matters.
Exactly... was in the Chelsea youth team and im sure he had aspirations to play for them
Hes now an established Premier leage and international footballer and of course a professional and whatever his next move is it will be based on a number of factors such as the salary the location of the club what his role will be in the team the vision of the club etc

And beyond that it is of course up to the other clubs who wants him

I'm sure if Chelsea wanted him back and he got to still be around family and friends and he was given a great wage and was guaranteed a starting place as he was sen as vital to the vision of the club then chelsea would be pretty close to the top of his list but out of all the clubs in world football I cant think of many more stacked with defensive midfielders than Chelsea who have kante, jorghino and of course gilmour breaking through.

West ham will receive offers this summer im sure and if they choose to sell rice will probably have the pick of several clubs who would be a step up for him and then based on the factors above and any others that are important to him he will pick one
Perhaps spurs as he can stay in London
Perhaps everton if anchelotti wants to build a team around him
Perhaps newsactle is the takeover gies through and they chuck crazy money at him
Perhaps he gets a chance to move abroad and fancies living in Milan or Madrid
Perhaps he wants to play on a back three or wants to be promised he will only play in a back two or a midfield three or a midfield two as he feels it will help him develop?
Talented player and from an England perspective I hope he goes somewhere he will be a starter and can develop his game ... i doubt it will be chelsea but wherever it is it given that it will probably set him up financially for life and may involve uprooting his while life it probabky won't be based on childhood allegiances... good luck to him
 

Inigo Montoya

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Look Rice might have been a hardcore Chelsea fan, but he's already playing for bloody West Ham, if he was that hardcore about them, he wouldn't be doing that. People need to stop putting so much weight on who people supported when they were a child, it very rarely matters.
John Terry was a 'hardcore' Utd fan.

I don't think it's significant if you want a career in pro football, you're rarely going to get to play or even be in the academy of the club you're a fan or supporter of. You go where the best development is. Chelsea are only now just bringing players through to their first team after hundreds of millions of investment. West Ham and Southampton are clubs that have a tradition of promoting from youth teams. Even Ian Wright, die hard Arsenal fan that he is, recommended that his son sign for Nottingham Forest as it afforded him the best development.
 

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Really don't see what the fuss is about with this guy. Seen nothing to suggest he'd improve a top team
 

pascell

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Look Rice might have been a hardcore Chelsea fan, but he's already playing for bloody West Ham, if he was that hardcore about them, he wouldn't be doing that. People need to stop putting so much weight on who people supported when they were a child, it very rarely matters.
Especially when we're likely to have beat Chelsea to sign Sancho, who he supported when he was younger.
 

Inigo Montoya

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Grealish says hi :devil:
Which part of the word 'rarely' did you not understand?

Gerrard, McManaman, Carragher- Everton fans
Scholes- Oldham
Keane- Spurs... and these are just the PL ones.
Fact, they went where the development was best.

I'd say currently Ajax is a real anomaly as it seems to have a huge number of local lads who play for them, but it rare to end up at the club you support. It depends on the scouting system
 

Inigo Montoya

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Really don't see what the fuss is about with this guy. Seen nothing to suggest he'd improve a top team
You haven't seen enough of him then. He's going to be a top player in that DM position. He'd improve us as he's better in that position than the players we have. Matic hasn't got 'years' left in him.
 

danamann

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You haven't seen enough of him then. He's going to be a top player in that DM position. He'd improve us as he's better in that position than the players we have. Matic hasn't got 'years' left in him.
Maguire was also better than 'what we had' but is he a top player? People here are already looking for a better partner or replacement after spending 80 million! Point being - just like with Maguire - Rice is a decent player but for the price they will be asking you can certainly find better players at better value.
 

theklr

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Which part of the word 'rarely' did you not understand?

Gerrard, McManaman, Carragher- Everton fans
Scholes- Oldham
Keane- Spurs... and these are just the PL ones.
Fact, they went where the development was best.

I'd say currently Ajax is a real anomaly as it seems to have a huge number of local lads who play for them, but it rare to end up at the club you support. It depends on the scouting system
I just meant it as a positive circumstance for us now, but ok, sorry then.
 

Mylock

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You haven't seen enough of him then. He's going to be a top player in that DM position. He'd improve us as he's better in that position than the players we have. Matic hasn't got 'years' left in him.
I was of the same opinion on Rice but the more I seen of him he looks like the real deal. Controls the middle of the park very well, been outstanding for the last few months.
 

Inigo Montoya

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I was of the same opinion on Rice but the more I seen of him he looks like the real deal. Controls the middle of the park very well, been outstanding for the last few months.
It's what happens when you can allow players to develop. It can only happen in clubs with poor or little resources. West Ham tend to blow their budget on pretty poor buys each season.

Fans (WH)I know, felt he was quite average at the start but with increasing game time and responsibility, he looks very confident. They're giving him free kicks and licence to shoot from distance.

Think what he could learn from Matic
 

Inigo Montoya

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Maguire was also better than 'what we had' but is he a top player? People here are already looking for a better partner or replacement after spending 80 million! Point being - just like with Maguire - Rice is a decent player but for the price they will be asking you can certainly find better players at better value.
That's a separate issue and I'd agree. But that's the problem with PL clubs trying to buy from other PL clubs.

I'd be happy to buy from European leagues as long as it benefits the team, as much as I'd love a strong British contingent at Utd
 

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First this is not a McTominay vs Rice thread

Second, McTominay was class before the league stopped due to COVID-19. If it had continued, Fred and McTominay would have been difficult to drop.

I believe Rice is no better than McTominay.
 

sun_tzu

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You haven't seen enough of him then. He's going to be a top player in that DM position. He'd improve us as he's better in that position than the players we have. Matic hasn't got 'years' left in him.
If he gets the games and he is used in that position - i like him but I think united would be the wring move for him (he would be sharing game time with matic and mctominy next season i think - plus I am hoping Garner gets more games unless we loan him out ) - If I were him I'd go somewhere I know im going to play at least 30 top flight league games next season
I think He would do great at Everton with Anchelotti and if he develops then a move on to a bigger club in a couple of seasons
Will be interesting to see what happens with him - who knows West Ham might not get anybody matching their valuation this summer (covid etc) and he may stay there for another year
 

Inigo Montoya

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First this is not a McTominay vs Rice thread

Second, McTominay was class before the league stopped due to COVID-19. If it had continued, Fred and McTominay would have been difficult to drop.

I believe Rice is no better than McTominay.
Slightly different players.
Rice is far better at the DM position than Scott. He could fill in at CB too. He's good in the air, fast and reads the game like a CB.
 

andersj

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Starting to think it will be a huge mistake not to get him. In my opinion, he looks like a player who could be dominating the Premier League for a decade, similar to players like Terry, Lampard, Gerrard, Keane, Carrick etc. Not in terms of attributes or style of course. He might not be as good on the ball as we remember some of them, but he is also just 21 years old, we remember these players from their peak. Very few of the players I mentioned there had close to 10 000 minutes of senior football at this level at his age and for the attacking few their attacking output really started to look good first at the age of 25. Rice will never be an attacking player, but the way he protects the ball and his passing is getting better for each time we play West Ham. At the age of 21 he is a regular in a position where experience and football-intelligence is as important as any other attribute. Fabinho, at the same age, was a right back at Ligue 1. Matic could not get a game for Chelsea and played for a poor Eredivise-side. If you look at the best players in the world in this position, very few were as far ahead as Rice is today. I would understand the scepticism of some in here if he did not show potential on the ball, but that is not the case. He is good on the ball, and he is getting better and better.

He would add so much to our team with his stamina and pace. He is exactly what players like Pogba and Fernandes need behind them. Physically he is very special. Not just due to his size combined with pace and movement, but he is never injured! Never! That too will help his development alot.

I doubt we will sign him. We are stacked in midfield. Matic just had a new contract, and Garner is coming through. But I would sell Fred and bring in Rice if we could. He is, in my opinion, a type of talent you should get if you could. He just gets better and better. At this rate, in two or three years he will be world class. And he will be for close to ten years.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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It's what happens when you can allow players to develop. It can only happen in clubs with poor or little resources. West Ham tend to blow their budget on pretty poor buys each season.

Fans (WH)I know, felt he was quite average at the start but with increasing game time and responsibility, he looks very confident. They're giving him free kicks and licence to shoot from distance.

Think what he could learn from Matic
The club has decided Mctominay should be the one learning from Matic
 

andersj

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Rice is far better at the DM position than Scott. He could fill in at CB too. He's good in the air, fast and reads the game like a CB.
I agree. McTominay should be an option to Pogba. Rice should be an option to Matic (or actually, I think Rice would be a starter and Matic backup).

That is my big issue with Fred. He is to weak to protect the defence and he do not offer much going forward. Excellent at passing the ball. Fast and mobile. But poor in the two areas of the pitch where you win the game.

As you mention, Rice could also be an option at CB. Meaning we could probably sell Fred, Pereira, Smalling and Jones to raise funds for him. He would be an option at CB if a first choice CB was injured and Bailly, Tuanzebe and Mengi.
 
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Ole90+3

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He played a great quick cross field ball out to the right side of the pitch which I wasn't aware he was capable of.

I've been downplaying his ability for a while now but I must admit he really impressed me on Wednesday night. One of the best players on the pitch.
 

croadyman

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Starting to think it will be a huge mistake not to get him. In my opinion, he looks like a player who could be dominating the Premier League for a decade, similar to players like Terry, Lampard, Gerrard, Keane, Carrick etc. Not in terms of attributes or style of course. He might not be as good on the ball as we remember some of them, but he is also just 21 years old, we remember these players from their peak. Very few of the players I mentioned there had close to 10 000 minutes of senior football at this level at his age and for the attacking few their attacking output really started to look good first at the age of 25. Rice will never be an attacking player, but the way he protects the ball and his passing is getting better for each time we play West Ham. At the age of 21 he is a regular in a position where experience and football-intelligence is as important as any other attribute. Fabinho, at the same age, was a right back at Ligue 1. Matic could not get a game for Chelsea and played for a poor Eredivise-side. If you look at the best players in the world in this position, very few were as far ahead as Rice is today. I would understand the scepticism of some in here if he did not show potential on the ball, but that is not the case. He is good on the ball, and he is getting better and better.

He would add so much to our team with his stamina and pace. He is exactly what players like Pogba and Fernandes need behind them. Physically he is very special. Not just due to his size combined with pace and movement, but he is never injured! Never! That too will help his development alot.

I doubt we will sign him. We are stacked in midfield. Matic just had a new contract, and Garner is coming through. But I would sell Fred and bring in Rice if we could. He is, in my opinion, a type of talent you should get if you could. He just gets better and better. At this rate, in two or three years he will be world class. And he will be for close to ten years.
Yeah you don't usually see DM's coming through into a first team until they are much older than 21 so he is a bit on an anomaly in that respect.

Really hoping he decides to stay another year at West Ham and we get him next summer,however gut feeling is that his best mate will persuade him to join Chelsea this summer.

The only thing we do have over them is that we can offer him that oppprtunity to play in his favoured position but doesn't look like Ole is interested in signing anyone there at the moment. He can play CB too which is an useful thing for us to have in the squad as well
 
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jamesjimmybyrondean

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If he's still in West Ham after this window we will probably prioritise him after next season when we realise that Matic is our only proper DM and can't play every minute
 

LuckyScout78

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I do like this boy. BUT i am satisfy with what i have. If i am United manager. McTom has been really in his first season. With Pogba out nearly whole season. McTom has play a key role abd keep and help United where United are on the table now. With McTom and Bruno. United would be out for top 4 race. Long time before Christmas and ending up as middle table team.

Bruno arrived. The creative and offensive has strength alot. Even not complete yet. United need a top CB more than a defensive cm. A Lucio, Stam level. Maybe De Ligt from Juventus has. Then i am patient and try to buy De Ligt in few years. When De Ligt need new challenge. If De Ligt has the pace of Lucio. De Ligt would definitely become a beast of a CB in the future.

Back to Rice. If Dani Ceballos reach a high level. Then Rice beside Ceballos would be really good. Ceballos stand for creative and offensive and Rice for the defensive. Xhaka and other are no where good enough. You need British high engine and fighting spirit. Liverpool has the engine and driven of Henderson, even not on Xavi level. United have in McTom. I think Arsenal is lacking it. Even they just beat City 2-0. But over a whole season and the it’s premier league. You can be France, Dutch or Spanish. Like Viera, Toure and Fabregas. Had that high tempo and guts football style.
I can see Rice has it in him. But again. If McTom improve his ball abilities. Then he can turn out to be really good.
Then United need a consistent player, equal level with Paul Scoles. Pogba is 27 , and still yet so inconsistent. Maybe Pogba is a bit to heavy. Back from injury, and 3 days a week too much for Pogba heavy iron body.

So in the end. Exciting to see which club will sign Rice after West Ham.
 

passing-wind

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Rice is twice the player McTominay is and im an admirer of toms contribution when he's on form. The whole Chelsea fan thing is also nonsense, Terry was a united fan and so is Pulisic. It means absolutely nothing when it comes to the context of playing professionally.

The problem is we prioritize Sancho (rightly so) I don't see us having the funds for Rice. Evidently I think it's the same scenario for Chelsea hence the rumours of a swap deal but I think it's rubbish. Rice is not an established centre half so I think Lampard will go for a more polished individual in defence.
 

Dave Smith

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‘an unrivalled sense of belonging, there’s no place like it on earth’ :lol:
I don't think that ultimately means much in terms of what clubs he can play for. If West Ham accept a bid from us, and we're the only bidders, he's not going to turn a move down to us because of that.
Look Rice might have been a hardcore Chelsea fan, but he's already playing for bloody West Ham, if he was that hardcore about them, he wouldn't be doing that. People need to stop putting so much weight on who people supported when they were a child, it very rarely matters.
Exactly... was in the Chelsea youth team and im sure he had aspirations to play for them
Hes now an established Premier leage and international footballer and of course a professional and whatever his next move is it will be based on a number of factors such as the salary the location of the club what his role will be in the team the vision of the club etc

And beyond that it is of course up to the other clubs who wants him

I'm sure if Chelsea wanted him back and he got to still be around family and friends and he was given a great wage and was guaranteed a starting place as he was sen as vital to the vision of the club then chelsea would be pretty close to the top of his list but out of all the clubs in world football I cant think of many more stacked with defensive midfielders than Chelsea who have kante, jorghino and of course gilmour breaking through.

West ham will receive offers this summer im sure and if they choose to sell rice will probably have the pick of several clubs who would be a step up for him and then based on the factors above and any others that are important to him he will pick one
Perhaps spurs as he can stay in London
Perhaps everton if anchelotti wants to build a team around him
Perhaps newsactle is the takeover gies through and they chuck crazy money at him
Perhaps he gets a chance to move abroad and fancies living in Milan or Madrid
Perhaps he wants to play on a back three or wants to be promised he will only play in a back two or a midfield three or a midfield two as he feels it will help him develop?
Talented player and from an England perspective I hope he goes somewhere he will be a starter and can develop his game ... i doubt it will be chelsea but wherever it is it given that it will probably set him up financially for life and may involve uprooting his while life it probabky won't be based on childhood allegiances... good luck to him
If you can be bothered watch this Youtube video with Rio. Considering he is a WHU player, Rice talks a hell of a lot about Chelsea and his closeness to Mount.


Personally, considering he is actually a full blown first team member of another PL side, I am amazed he is so candid about how much Chelsea means to him and how close he is with Mount. Mount is nowhere near as open as he is.
 
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