Arsenal star Declan Rice has antagonised some West Ham fans with new comments but they should be proud of their former skipper.
Declan Rice’s relationship with some West Ham supporters has been strained by his move to Arsenal.
Man City were also interested in Rice. But he pushed to join West Ham’s London rivals Arsenal in a £105m deal instead.
That has stuck in the craw for many Hammers fans.
The ex West Ham skipper has been an instant hit with the Gunners. Just as West Ham fans told their sceptical rivals he would be as many questioned his lofty transfer fee.
There has been some pantomime jeering of Rice when West Ham have played Arsenal.
But there is clear mutual respect between the midfielder and the majority of Hammers supporters.
Some of Rice’s comments have irritated West Ham supporters, though.
As does the suggestion – made once again by Gareth Southgate this week – that he is a markedly improved player since leaving the Hammers for the Gunners.
So when Rice himself jumped on that particular bandwagon yesterday it did not go down too well.
Rice has antagonised West Ham fans with his Arsenal claim but they should be proud of him.
Speaking in an England press conference ahead of the game against Belgium, Rice says his position has changed since he was at West Ham and feels it is better for him and England.
“I’ve been playing consistently well throughout the season,” Rice said, as reported by BBC Sport.
“My position has changed a lot this season from when I was at West Ham and it is closer to what Southgate wants here at England.”
Yes Rice has been playing higher up the pitch for the Gunners in the second half of his debut season.
But that’s what he was doing for the Hammers in the season or so before he left. Just ask Tomas Soucek.
The comments have been seen as a dig at West Ham by some supporters.
But regardless, Hammers fans should be proud that Rice is about to captain England for the first time.
Rice may not be captaining the Three Lions while a West Ham player. But he is an England captain very much forged by West Ham – like the great Bobby Moore before him.
West Ham media man Rob Pritchard perhaps said it best with his comments on Rice’s imminent milestone.
“That one of our Academy of Football graduates will captain England on Tuesday should be a source of huge pride for everyone associated with West Ham,” Pritchard said on X.
“Yes, he wears a different club shirt now, but he learned his trade and grew from boy to man with us. Congrats Declan Rice.”