Declan Rice hits out at ‘obscene’ schedule after revealing he had played 68 MATCHES in a year

Declan Rice hits out at football’s ‘OBSCENE’ schedule after revealing he played 68 matches between June 2021 and June 2022… as the West Ham star admits he is ‘knackered’ after every game

  • Rice says he ‘doesn’t want to do anything silly’ ahead of the World Cup in Qatar
  • The midfielder, 23, has been a mainstay of the Hammers team in recent years
  • West Ham travel to Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League on Thursday

Declan Rice said he has played an ‘obscene’ amount of games over the last year, admitting the schedule has left him feeling ‘knackered’ after every game.

Ahead of facing Anderlecht away in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, the West Ham and England favourite said: ‘I worked out last year from June (2021) to June (2022) I played 68 games. That is an obscene amount of games.’ 

West Ham are looking to maintain their perfect record in Europe this season after two group game wins, and Rice added: ‘I don’t go into a game and don’t give 100 per cent. Every game I walk off and I am knackered. 

Declan Rice said he had played an ‘obscene’ amount of games between June 2021 and 2022

‘There are big games for West Ham and England. I don’t want to get injured or do anything silly.’

The Hammers were in the Europa League last season, reaching the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt. They also made the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Rice, 23, has been a regular fixture of the West Ham side in recent years and has already made 205 appearances for the club’s first team. 

The 23-year-old is a shoo-in for England's squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar

The 23-year-old is a shoo-in for England’s squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar

He is also expected to be selected in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. 

West Ham are among the clubs facing a gruelling month as they play nine matches in October.

David Moyes’ side host Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday following the trip to Belgium to face Anderlecht on Thursday. 



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