Darren Bent has given his verdict on the future of West Ham defensive midfielder Declan Rice ahead of the new Premier League season.
The England international has featured 38 times for the Hammers in all competitions this season, scoring two and assisting a single goal in the process.
The 20-year old has been previously linked by the Independent with a move to Manchester United, however the former Aston Villa man believes that a move away from the London Stadium would not be the right move to make.
“Out of all of the top six sides, where would he go?” said Bent to Sky Sports News. (Friday 7th June, 10:12)
“You start looking around the clubs, Liverpool are pretty much set, Manchester City are pretty much set, and there is no rush for him to go anywhere now.
“For me, right now, he needs to develop as a player,
“He’s only really had one full season at West Ham, and it’s too early for him to go.”
OPINION
Rice has been instrumental in his performances for West Ham this season, in what has proven to be a real break-through campaign for the England international. Bent is pretty spot on with his point on Rice’s future with the Hammers, and it may be a naive move to make if he were to push the switch to any of the top six sides, United in particular, as it could potentially lead to him losing out on first-team, Premier League football. The 20-year old is in a beautiful position as the London Stadium, as he knows full well that Manuel Pellegrini has enough faith and trust in him to put him in the first team week-in, week-out. There is no doubting that Rice would be able to perform at the top level for one of the top six clubs in the Premier League, however now probably isn’t quite the right time to leave the London Stadium. In a season or two, maybe, but the England international could do with leaving himself some more time to develop as a player before making a big move away from West Ham.