Chelsea step up interest in Declan Rice
According to the Sun, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has identified former starlet Declan Rice as the successor to club legend John Terry.
The Blues have lacked a defender of the former skipper’s fortitude since he retired in 2017. Chelsea have struggled to maintain clean sheets this season in what has been a regular occurrence.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Ironically, it appears that we had Terry’s successor at the club before we released him at our own will when he was just 14.
The centre-back has now turned into a defensive midfielder, and has made a name for himself as one of the country’s most promising talents at West Ham United.
Lampard is keen to play the youngster in a three-man backline as he plots a return to the top next season. This will, however, spell the doom for Kurt Zouma, who has fallen down the pecking order.
According to the report, Chelsea have reached out to their London rivals over a deal this summer and believe they can get their man for around £45million. The Hammers do not want to sell their best player and will demand a figure closer to £70m.
Not only is Rice a commanding defender but also adds leadership and communication at the back. Qualities that the Blues desperately require.
If he joins, he will be a part of a promising bunch of youth players who could go on to form the core of our squad for the next decade.
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Rice also shares a fantastic relationship with Mason Mount, alongside whom he came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge. The chance to rekindle that partnership could sway the deal in our favour.
In a league that is getting competitive by the day, strengthening ourselves at the back could make the difference between progress and staying still.
In Rice, we have the perfect player who would be aware of what it is like to don the Blue jersey.
