Is Declan Rice worth breaking the bank for?

Arteta is reportedly keen on signing West Ham’s Declan Rice for the summer of 2023, as the midfielder has expressed his desire to leave the club and his contract will expire in summer 2024.

However, any potential deal for Rice is expected to come with a significant price tag, with West Ham likely to demand at least £80m, and possibly even upwards of £100m, following Moyes’ use of Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez as a benchmark.

GunnerBanana’s POV

GunnerBanana believes that Declan Rice is not a worthwhile investment despite his athleticism and workhorse qualities.

While he has solid English Premier League experience and is known for his professionalism, he is not top of the cohort when it comes to protecting the back four with slides, tackles, and interceptions. Neither does he strike fear in opponents when it comes to dominating aerial duels.

He lacks a strong accurate shot that could win important games. In fact, most of our midfielders are lacking in that department.

Furthermore, there is no evidence that he is press resistant without passing backwards or sideways, or can break the press while progressing play forward. Think Busquet, Carzola, and Partey.

You should only pay top money for top players.

We hope that purchasing Rice for £80m is not a suggestion made by the scouts, as any entry-level scout can do research online and decide to buy him.

The football club’s scouting department should be focused on uncovering hidden gems, and hopefully, Edu and the scouts will secure some good deals in the coming months.

COYG!