‘He will go to one of those top clubs and he’s got to prove he can deliver’: Declan Rice will ‘have to transfer to a team in the Champions League’ to take the next step in his career, insists Gary Neville
- Declan Rice is currently playing Europa League football with West Ham this term
- But Gary Neville claims Rice needs to make the jump to the Champions League
- The England international is on the radars of Man United, Man City and Chelsea
- He turned down two offers to renew his current contract, which expires in 2024
Gary Neville has insisted that Declan Rice needs to transfer to a Champions League club to take the next jump in his career.
The England midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from West Ham, having been a standout player for them in their push for Europe last season, before further impressing on the international stage during Euro 2020.
Rice has enjoyed Europa League football with the Hammers so far this season, scoring twice in their Group H games against Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Vienna.
Gary Neville (left) insisted Declan Rice (right) needs to transfer to a Champions League club
The 22-year-old has become a key player for the club, captaining the side in the absence of Mark Noble.
But Neville believes the Euro 2020 finalist must leave the London Stadium in search of Champions League football to take his career to the next level.
‘He’ll have to transfer to a team in the Champions League,’ the TV pundit told Sky Sports.
‘Where he plays in midfield. Where there’s high expectations. Where he’s playing against teams that are dropping deep every week and there will be different asks.’
The 22-year-old has become a key player for the club, captaining in Mark Noble’s absence
Rice was outstanding in England’s midfield on their run to the Euro 2020 final on home soil
Neville also claimed Rice could make the move to centre back at a top team due to his ‘massive physique’ and pace.
‘I’ve always wondered if he would end up at a top team in centre back just because of the nature of the game.
‘I think he meets the demands on players to be good on the ball, to drive with the ball. I think he’s a good defender as well. He’s got a massive physique and he’s got good speed.
The midfielder has bagged two goals in the Europa League so far this season for the Hammers
‘A holding midfield player in a top team, he definitely could do it. If you look at Liverpool and Fabinho in the next couple of years.
‘And Manchester United with Fred and Matic. McTominay might be there for a couple of years but generally there’s some jobs coming up.
‘Jorginho, how long will he be at Chelsea? And Fernandinho at City as well.
‘He will go to one of those top clubs and he’s got to prove he can deliver that jump.’
Rice is reportedly on the radar of West Ham’s Premier League rivals Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea after he turned down two offers to renew his current contract, which expires in 2024.
