Danny Murphy thinks the songs sung by West Ham fans about Declan Rice during the EFL Cup match against Arsenal at the London Stadium were “ridiculous”.
The Hammers will be looking to regain their place in the Premier League top six on Sunday (11 February) when they host their second-placed neighbours at the London Stadium for the third time this season, their first league win since beating the Gunners 2-0 on 28 December.
BBC Match of the Day pundit Murphy wrote in his column for the Daily Mail (11 February) that he was saddened by the way some West Ham fans treated Rice during the 3-1 win against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup on 1 November and should understand his decision to leave the club.
He wrote: “The 25-year-old returns today to the London Stadium where he was booed by a section of West Ham fans in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
“I was more saddened than surprised by this. There is a minority who judge him purely on the basis of him joining another London club, not on the years of work he has given to West Ham, including lifting the European trophy.
“If anyone deserves a standing ovation on leaving his former club, it is Rice and you will hear from many West Ham fans their appreciation of him.
“If a mindless few want to sing songs about him being greedy, that’s nonsense. He wanted the chance to compete for the biggest trophies, and he deserved it.”
What kind of reception will Declan Rice get at the Premier League match?
This was much discussed and debated three months ago, with some wondering why a minority of West Ham fans booed Rice after all he has achieved at the club since his arrival at the London Stadium.
It has to be said that more fans applauded Rice or were simply silent than those who applauded him, but, of course, it will always be the booing that is most talked about.
Rice was a great servant to West Ham and gave the fans the night of their lives in the Europa League Conference final in June, but it seems that some fans are still disappointed by his decision to join Arsenal on the other side of the city.
However, he has since moved on and helped bring in over £100 million, which the club made good use of in the summer transfer window.
Now West Ham have two very capable defensive midfielders in Calvin Phillips and Edson Alvarez, who Rice will of course be up against on Sunday, but how will the fans receive him this time?
If Arsenal somehow get the win, it may not be a warm reception.