"Bracing themselves": Journo drops West Ham claim on 19 G/A gem, Moyes will be worried - opinion

West Ham United are fearful over the possibility of losing their stat midfielder Declan Rice.

That is according to Dean Jones, via GIVEMESPORT, who claimed that, whilst there is confidence around Jarrod Bowen signing a new contract at the London Stadium, there are some at club who are “still bracing themselves for a bid from Chelsea for Declan Rice”.

The England midfielder’s current contract expires in the summer of 2024, with the option of a further year. As per Transfermarkt, he is valued at £72m.

In what has been an exceptional couple of seasons for European football-chasing West Ham, Moyes will surely be worried amidst these latest reports.

By the age of 23, Rice has nailed himself down as a vital part of the Irons’ engine room, plying his trade at the very heart of the operation and starting 32 or more league games for four successive seasons.

Not only has he helped the Hammers faithful in getting over the retirement of Mark Noble by rising to prominence and taking on a similar leadership role himself, his efforts have proved pivotal in the club achieving their ambitions.

When looking at his numbers, you can immediately see his involvement as someone who pulls the strings from the middle of the park. Averaging 54.29 passes per game over the last 12 months at a completion rate of 90.6%, he keeps play ticking over from midfield, with his well-roundedness complemented by his technical ability.

Being comfortable with the ball has led to sustained attacking returns within his game, with one goal and four assists in 36 Premier League appearances last term in what is a solid return considering his role for the Hammers. It takes his career total up to 19 attacking returns in the form of ten goals and nine assists.

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