Declan Rice

[Jesus H Gabz]

I think Rice may sit alongside Rodri if he comes in.

In terms of missing out on Bellingham to play alongside De Bruyne, I think we’ll see a better player than Bellingham playing that role instead - Phil Foden.

If Foden was at Dortmund then Real Madrid would have wanted him and he’d have been worth over £100m. If we’d had signed him we’d all be buzzing about this new midfielder who literally has everything to his game and who also happens to be by far the most technically gifted English player.

The future is bright for our midfield I believe.

Big season for Phil this, he keeps injury free & I can see him having a big’un, that turn in the CL final was utter filth and a glimpse into what we might see in that area of the pitch, hopefully Pep thinks he’s ready for more responsibility

 

[SWP's back]

Strange thing to do, but please do that for every single post on here, and make sure to keep me updated :)

If you’re still on here in 15 years, you’ll know exactly why I occasionally check newbies join dates to see if anything interesting was happening at that point.

 

[Chi-town blues]

Read in to it what we want. City placed a marker down for Rice last week after our England lads got to also speak to him.

We asked Sullivan to update us when Arsenal improved their bid and we told them a bid was coming in before lunchtime yesterday.

Sullivan does not want to sell to Arsenal and West Ham are convinced City already know Rice's mind.

No reason not to be confident or feel City being played for suckers.

We wanted Sanchez, we got Sergio.

We wanted Kounde, we got Ruben.

We wanted Bellingham, we will get Rice or another top option.

There’s a song in there somewhere .

 

[Phil1]

If you’re still on here in 15 years, you’ll know exactly why I occasionally check newbies join dates to see if anything interesting was happening at that point.

We get them every single year without fail. We know how it usually ends. I expect we will be lucky to see them after another 15 weeks, never mind 15 years.

 

[supercity88]

If I'm an Arsenal fan, I'd be embarrassed the supposed pull is because he can continue to live in London.

David James really did say it best today.

Rice has told West Ham fans he wants to leave to play with the elite and compete for the biggest trophies.

Arsenal will do well to finish top team in London next season.

Rice can win a European Super Cup and World Club Cup within five months of signing for us.

Rice destroys his entire legacy with West Ham if he makes a backward move to Arsenal.

Arsenal can only try to sell him a dream of being their captain one day, staying in London and being a regular starter benefitting his England chances.

If he's got any ounce of self-respect he should come to us. I'm relaxed about this one, because if he chooses Arsenal it tells you all you need to know about his character.

When you've just seen Jude make a huge call and take the opportunity - and risk - of going to Real Madrid then surely you'd be inspired to move to the treble winners and learn under the greatest manager out there.

 

[St.Pauli support]

I think Rice may sit alongside Rodri if he comes in.

In terms of missing out on Bellingham to play alongside De Bruyne, I think we’ll see a better player than Bellingham playing that role instead - Phil Foden.

If Foden was at Dortmund then Real Madrid would have wanted him and he’d have been worth over £100m. If we’d had signed him we’d all be buzzing about this new midfielder who literally has everything to his game and who also happens to be by far the most technically gifted English player.

The future is bright for our midfield I believe.

Agreed. I struggle why so many wonder if Rice might play as an 8.

Pep has developed a strong defence of 3 with 2 DMs in front, able to drop in if needed but also able to play a major part in our build-up vs tight defences.

Rodri played way too much while Stones - although fantastic higher up the pitch - felt his legs weren't used to midfield running (and we know he had his hammy issues anyway).

Of course Phillips might be a cover for those 2, but we still don't know if he's reliable, for whatever reasons.
Rice makes perfect sense on a DM position, with the option to get closer to the box if needed, like Rodri.

On the 8s we have Kev, Kovacic (replacing Gundo surely), Foden, also McAtee and still Bernardo. In case Bernardo leaves he needs replaced, only the options might have to wait before signing somewhere else (like Szoboszlai).

 

[Crooked_rain]

The main stumbling block for those who want Rice is not the fee or the wages but does Rice himself think he is good enough to play in our first team on a regular basis.

Yeah I think a player could like rice could look at Phillips and wonder if its the right move for him

He could be thinking if he's wanting to be a nailed on starter whenever fit then Arsenal could be the move for him but if you want to be at the best club in the world and win things, then obviously it's us

Then it's really just about how confident you are that you can cement yourself as a starter every week.

But players are only human I think some would be looking at Phillips and thinking the city spent quite a bit of money on him and he barely kicked the ball. But in my opinion if you have a true winning mentality, then you would want to be at the best club and prove to yourself and others that you can be a regular starter. That's the players we want.

 

[Bluesince1979]

People questioning where he would fit , we gave no idea what peps plan of attack is next season. With gundo gone, bernie probably gone, foden going inside, KDB probs not fit by august… who the fuck knows.
If laporte goes then stones drops back more and rice slips in there!!

Exciting innit

 

[clarion]

Rice is exciting signing. Much influential player than Kovacic. I hope this happens!

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

People questioning where he would fit , we gave no idea what peps plan of attack is next season. With gundo gone, bernie probably gone, foden going inside, KDB probs not fit by august… who the fuck knows.
If laporte goes then stones drops back more and rice slips in there!!

Exciting innit

Yeah, definitely exciting. Rodri being given a licence to get forward more could be interesting. He's got a hell of a shot on him and the space created by teams trying to close him down would free up additional space for our attackers.