Former England international Jamie Carragher has labelled the West Ham fans criticising Declan Rice as “out of order” following a reported stumbling block in contract negotiations.
Rice, 19, has recently emerged as the latest talent on West Ham’s famous academy production line, with the London-born midfielder producing a number of promising displays this season.
He has been named West Ham’s ‘Young Player of the Year’ for the past two seasons and has already racked up 36 appearances across all competitions for the east London club, including three starts this campaign.
However, the teenage tyro has just two years remaining on his current contract and the West Ham hierarchy have been keen to tie him down to a new deal worth a reported £12,000 a week – quadruple his current salary – though Rice is believed to have turned the offer down, leading to a backlash from fans.
Carragher has now leapt to the defence of Rice, believing the youngster should hold out for the best possible deal, while further lambasting the criticism he has received from West Ham fans.
“I thought it was a bit out of order from some of the callers saying Rice was getting too big for his boots or he’s got to be careful about this or that,” he told Talksport.
“But to be honest I look at him and it’s not just Declan Rice, it’s every young player who comes through at a Premier League club or any club always have to be seen to be grateful they’re playing and they can’t just ask for a bit more money.
“If there was a young foreign player signed from abroad there’d be no questions about what they deserve.
“I felt it when I was playing that because I was a local lad at Liverpool I had to be seen to be grateful. Local players coming through at their football clubs are definitely treated differently financially.
“This is a lad who could be West Ham’s main man over the next five or six years so I think it’s unfair he gets the criticism for not accepting the first offer he’s given.”
Manuel Pellegrini’s side lost their opening four Premier League matches, and Rice soon found himself out of favour, having started during the opening match capitulation against Liverpool.
However, Rice has since played a prominent role in West Ham’s revival this season, starting in the heart of midfield alongside club captain Mark Noble and Pedro Obiang in the win against Everton and the draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
The 19-year-old must also make the decision whether to resume playing for the Republic of Ireland at international level, having played at youth level and in senior friendlies through his Irish father, or switch to England, who have shown increasing interest, with Gareth Southgate a fervent admirer of the youngster.
Next up in the Premier League for the Hammers is a home fixture against Manchester United in this Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
The post West Ham fans critical of Declan Rice are “out of order” – Jamie Carragher appeared first on Squawka News.
From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2Q7Cyze
No comments:
Post a Comment