FORMER Chelsea boss Frank Lampard admitted he would liked to have signed West Ham ‘leader’ Declan Rice when he was Blues manager.
The West Londoners dumped the Hammers ace when he was 14 and he has become one of the Premier League’s most talented midfielders since the Irons signed him soon after.
Chelsea were heavily linked with re-signing Rice during Lampard’s reign though no firm offer was ever made.
And Lampard – who was sacked by Chelsea in January and replaced with Thomas Tuchel – spoke very highly of the midfielder during a Q&A session for the Willow Foundation.
He said: “We are fortunate to have him [Rice] in England, West Ham are fortunate to have him.
“He’s a leader and it is clear that he’s destined for great things.
“I have probably given it away with how I spoke about him but I think it’s common knowledge that I was a big fan of his.
“It didn’t happen for various reasons, but we brought in a lot of players in the summer. But I was a big fan of him. For understandable reasons, West Ham know the player that they have on their hands.
“I don’t want Declan to be in an uncomfortable position through this because all I see from him is absolute performance and desire to play for West Ham.
“They gave him the chance there and the choice will be Declan’s as the years go ahead, but his performances are great to watch.”
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West Ham are on a phenomenal run and sit fourth – one spot ahead of Chelsea – with eight games remaining.
Rice has been one of their key performers but picked up a knee injury on England duty and will miss around five weeks of the Hammers’ Champions League charge.
Some reports suggest Manchester United and Chelsea are lining up moves this summer.
But Irons boss David Moyes has made it clear the East Londoners will not listen to any offer below £100million.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
