Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes West Ham midfielder Declan Rice will leave the Hammers in the not so distant future.
This comes after the 22-year-old stole the show for England during the Three Lions’ 4-0 victory over Hungary on Thursday night.
The combative Iron was in superb form at the heart of the midfield and grabbed a goal to cap an impressive nights work.
Speaking on talkSPORT (3/9/20219), Agbonlahor suggested those displays and time with England would only further enhance a desire to leave the club.
I watched Rice and [Kalvin] Phillips last night, they were outstanding. But, what was going through my head was, how long can these players stay at their clubs? How long can Leeds keep hold of Kalvin Phillips? How long can West Ham keep hold of Declan Rice? They’re all going to be talking while they’re away, ‘oh we’ve got Villarreal, we’ve got PSG’ and you have banter about it, ‘oh who have you got’, ‘oh we’ve got no one’. You know what football banter’s like Trevor [Sinclair] and Jamie [O’Hara]. I just can’t see them staying more than another season at their clubs. I feel like they’re going to want to play at the top. They’re getting it with their countries, they’re going to want to get it with their clubs.
So far this season Rice has registered one assist in West Ham’s opening three unbeaten Premier League matches.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Previously Agbonlahor might’ve been spot on here, however, this season the £63million valued man can take full part in that European conversation.
The 24-cap England star can proudly exclaim that his club are preparing to face Dinamo Zagreb, Rapid Vienna and Genk.
Whilst continuing to match the midfielder’s ambitions may prove difficult in the long run, another strong campaign with European qualification at the end at least gives West Ham a shot of keeping their talisman.
