Moyes will be very worried, GSB could make big moves: Sky Sports man makes major claim - opinion

Pundit Paul Merson believes that Declan Rice will not be a West Ham player next season due to his ambitions to play in the Champions League.

Rice has been linked with a move away from West Ham for a long period now, with the main clubs concerned being Manchester United and Chelsea.

Rice is the Hammers vice-captain and with Mark Noble retiring at the end of the season, it is very likely that if the England international stays at the club then he will be named as club captain.

Merson can’t see Rice staying at the London Stadium beyond the summer however, especially if the Hammers fail to secure Champions League football.

Merson has said that £100m is a lot for a player that doesn’t score 15 goals a season, but doesn’t think he will be a West Ham player for much longer.

If Rice was to leave the club in the summer, what knock-on effects could this have for the Hammers moving forward?

Moyes will be worried

David Moyes, like any manager, would be extremely worried about the consequences of losing one of their most consistent players over the past two seasons – especially a player who is seemingly getting better and better each season.

If West Ham were to lose Rice in the middle of midfield then this could have a huge impact on the player’s performance around him. He plays in the heart of midfield alongside Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek, and Rice allows his partner in crime to roam forward and chip in with vital goals – you only have to look at the Hammers’ Premier League game against Wolves when he scored the winner.

Losing Rice will mean that Moyes will have to search for a new captain and although they could use the funds acquired from the Englishman to invest in new talent, finding a leader that understands the