Former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has pleaded with the West Ham hierarchy to “chuck the kitchen sink” in order to keep Declan Rice at London Stadium.
Chelsea have yet again emerged as the main interested party in the Hammers midfielder, but Campbell believes the east London club must do all they can in order to stave off any suitors.
Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell has insisted it is vital the Hammers stand firm, saying: “Can West Ham afford to lose him? I don’t think they can. He’s a captain now, England international.”
The 50-year-old added: “There’s no way he can leave your building, no chance. I don’t care if you’ve got to chuck the kitchen sink at it, that’s what you’ve got to do. You sell your captain, your England international, you’re asking for trouble. It’s not as if West Ham can’t afford to give him a new contract and up his money.”
West Ham fans have already borne witness to a player considered one of their own being sold by the club recently. The transfer of Grady Diangana brought uproar among many fans, as well as club captain Mark Noble, and Campbell doesn’t rule out a similar reaction if Rice is sold, saying: “If they let him out of the building that’s a massive mistake. That’s all you need to set that lot (of fans) off. West Ham fans are passionate about their guys.”
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Campbell is saying what many West Ham are probably thinking. The club must do everything in their power to keep hold of the 21-year-old, including building the team around him.
Rice, who started out life at Chelsea, is almost certainly going to have his head at least flinching at the interest given what is happening under Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge. However, if David Moyes and co can convince the youngster he is the man to bring glory back to the Irons, there’s a chance he would buy into such a challenge.
Selling Rice after a relatively promising start to the 2020/21 campaign would be a real setback for the Hammers, and if possible must be avoided.
