Rice enables us to go to a back four with 2 box to box midfielders (mount, Gallagher, kovacic) with kante being able to play both positions. If sterling and one of dembele or Richardson came in with havertz playing the false nine then that midfield and attack looks very good.

When has Rice ever been a lone DM? 

Not in a long time to simply answer the question. However I think it makes sense, west ham apparently view him as their best centre back as well as their best midfielder. With kovacic Gallagher kante and even mount there's plenty of energy ahead of rice that he wouldn't get exposed. His positioning and technique is brilliant and although he's in a midfield 2 for west ham I don't see a reason not to put him in a holding midfield role. He's not like kante where the best part of his game was relentless energy and hunting the ball down. He has all the tools to be the deepest player in a midfield 3. 

Soucek sits for West Ham in the midfield two. Rice advances. 
 

Anytime England play a midfield three, with Rice as the holder, they lose the midfield battle. There’s a reason Phillips partners Rice. 

Think we’ve done this to turn his head. There’s no chance we can sign him as things stand but if he hands in a transfer request, things might get interesting.

We would be mugs of an international standard to pay more than 30m for Rice if a much better Phillip is going to Man city for 45m. Rice is so ordinary it's nauseating. Zero goal sense, zero to pitiful holding ability, a Jorginho with one leg tie behind his back can distribute and control the game far better than Rice could ever hope to achieve to 2 lifetimes. Intact the only attribute that he trumps Jorginho on is more strength defensively. Everyone can be a star when the entire team is playing compactly. The true test of your ability in that position he plays is when your team is attacking and spaces open up. Pls let Westham keep and use him to win champions league . Good luck to them. Infact I would we sign a dedicated destroyer like Cavalho than Rice. Even old Fellaini is better than this guy

Athletico are currently unable to register Witsel due to wage restrictions. We would be better off with Witsel than Rice. Indact I would rather put Ampadu, Gallagher , or Gilmour in that team before Rice. Honestly I am sick hearing that guy's name been me ruined in connection with my club.

16 hours ago, d-one said:

Athletico are currently unable to register Witsel due to wage restrictions. We would be better off with Witsel than Rice. Indact I would rather put Ampadu, Gallagher , or Gilmour in that team before Rice. Honestly I am sick hearing that guy's name been me ruined in connection with my club.

Nah, we don't want Witsel. Maybe 6 years ago, not now.

Way passed his prime. Really not that good.

16 hours ago, d-one said:

Athletico are currently unable to register Witsel due to wage restrictions. We would be better off with Witsel than Rice. Indact I would rather put Ampadu, Gallagher , or Gilmour in that team before Rice. Honestly I am sick hearing that guy's name been me ruined in connection with my club.

Witsel is 33. We already have enough aging midfielders. We need younger ones

I’m in favour of Rice but not at stupid prices like £100m which West Ham clearly want. If Phillips is going for £45m then Rice should be around that figure. 
 

West Ham should sell before transfer values drop. 

On 28/06/2022 at 19:36, d-one said:

We would be mugs of an international standard to pay more than 30m for Rice if a much better Phillip is going to Man city for 45m. Rice is so ordinary it's nauseating. Zero goal sense, zero to pitiful holding ability, a Jorginho with one leg tie behind his back can distribute and control the game far better than Rice could ever hope to achieve to 2 lifetimes. Intact the only attribute that he trumps Jorginho on is more strength defensively. Everyone can be a star when the entire team is playing compactly. The true test of your ability in that position he plays is when your team is attacking and spaces open up. Pls let Westham keep and use him to win champions league . Good luck to them. Infact I would we sign a dedicated destroyer like Cavalho than Rice. Even old Fellaini is better than this guy

You know when you have a daft dog? You show them a ball and pretend to throw it, but hide it behind your back. And for the next few minutes the dog goes bat sh*t running around here, there and everywhere looking where it thinks the ball has gone, only it hasn't? Well that dog is called Kalvin Phillips. 

He had one good game against us "up Norf" where he made Jorginho his bitch for 90 minutes. It doesn't mean he is all that. Really.

On 30/06/2022 at 08:07, JM7 said:

I’m in favour of Rice but not at stupid prices like £100m which West Ham clearly want. If Phillips is going for £45m then Rice should be around that figure. 
 

West Ham should sell before transfer values drop. 

I do rate Declan Rice. He is the "leader" we need and miss. He is also a good (not great yet) player, best in Defensive Midfield position but could be decent in a straight out Central Midfield role. He is only 23, consistent, avoids injuries, gets a few assists and the odd goal. Summing up, he is worth having in readiness for Kante moving on, but not at a penny more than £60m

I think even at 75m he would be a decent coup. I agree 60-65 is his price but we probably would need to pay premium for him.

1 hour ago, evissy said:

I think even at 75m he would be a decent coup. I agree 60-65 is his price but we probably would need to pay premium for him.

I think you are right. Wet Spam will be looking for top dollar. One thing is for sure, if we don't buy him, City or Liverpool definitely will at some point.

At least if the reports of their interest in Broja are genuine, we might now have a bargaining chip ... 

19 hours ago, evissy said:

I think even at 75m he would be a decent coup. I agree 60-65 is his price but we probably would need to pay premium for him.

If you can get him for 65,he would have been gone by now. West ham wanted 80 m during covid era and they wanted 100m last year. 

On 28/06/2022 at 21:36, d-one said:

We would be mugs of an international standard to pay more than 30m for Rice if a much better Phillip is going to Man city for 45m. Rice is so ordinary it's nauseating. Zero goal sense, zero to pitiful holding ability, a Jorginho with one leg tie behind his back can distribute and control the game far better than Rice could ever hope to achieve to 2 lifetimes. Intact the only attribute that he trumps Jorginho on is more strength defensively. Everyone can be a star when the entire team is playing compactly. The true test of your ability in that position he plays is when your team is attacking and spaces open up. Pls let Westham keep and use him to win champions league . Good luck to them. Infact I would we sign a dedicated destroyer like Cavalho than Rice. Even old Fellaini is better than this guy

https://www.transfermarkt.com/spieler-statistik/wertvollstespieler/marktwertetop

It is only a webpage with valuations but...

Wasn’t a fan of this 12 months ago, but completely sold now. Would love this to happen next summer 

I am sure Declan Rice knows his level is far higher than West Ham, and unless he is blinded by loyality, he will not sign a new deal unless it includes a decent release clause. He has basically 3 years left on his current deal, with the club able to extended it by one year from its current two. He turned down a deal worth 200k a week, so I am pretty sure he has his mind on leaving.

Question is though will his love of Chelsea be enough to get him to come here? If City show an interest, or Liverpool, that is almost a guarantee of silverware and medals, City is, pool likely is. 

Or if Real or Barca come calling. 

Realistically we are below these in the football food tree, so either we fix that quickly or we will really see how much Rice wants to come here.

40 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

I am sure Declan Rice knows his level is far higher than West Ham, and unless he is blinded by loyality, he will not sign a new deal unless it includes a decent release clause. He has basically 3 years left on his current deal, with the club able to extended it by one year from its current two. He turned down a deal worth 200k a week, so I am pretty sure he has his mind on leaving.

Question is though will his love of Chelsea be enough to get him to come here? If City show an interest, or Liverpool, that is almost a guarantee of silverware and medals, City is, pool likely is. 

Or if Real or Barca come calling. 

Realistically we are below these in the football food tree, so either we fix that quickly or we will really see how much Rice wants to come here.

I can't see Barca or Real signing him. It would just look like an odd fit for those 2 teams. 

4 hours ago, axman2526 said:

I am sure Declan Rice knows his level is far higher than West Ham, and unless he is blinded by loyality, he will not sign a new deal unless it includes a decent release clause. He has basically 3 years left on his current deal, with the club able to extended it by one year from its current two. He turned down a deal worth 200k a week, so I am pretty sure he has his mind on leaving.

Question is though will his love of Chelsea be enough to get him to come here? If City show an interest, or Liverpool, that is almost a guarantee of silverware and medals, City is, pool likely is. 

Or if Real or Barca come calling. 

Realistically we are below these in the football food tree, so either we fix that quickly or we will really see how much Rice wants to come here.

City have have a better option currently in Rodri who's only 26 and have just signed Phillips on backup, can't see them throwing £100m at Rice.

Liverpool is more likely with Fabinho struggling and Hendo/Milner getting old, however their priority seems to be Bellingham. Can't see them buying 2 £100m CM's. 

Us and Utd are probably the only ones with a chance of getting him.

On 05/09/2022 at 08:40, RIP Mourinho said:

City have have a better option currently in Rodri who's only 26 and have just signed Phillips on backup, can't see them throwing £100m at Rice.

Liverpool is more likely with Fabinho struggling and Hendo/Milner getting old, however their priority seems to be Bellingham. Can't see them buying 2 £100m CM's. 

Us and Utd are probably the only ones with a chance of getting him.

The important point from your message is 2 £100m CM's. If Rice is worth £100m then Bellingham must be double that. Better footballer already with massively more potential 

15 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

The important point from your message is 2 £100m CM's. If Rice is worth £100m then Bellingham must be double that. Better footballer already with massively more potential 

Bundesliga tax, just look at Sancho back in the Prem. Rice is still clear currently.

16 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Bundesliga tax, just look at Sancho back in the Prem. Rice is still clear currently.

That's a fair point actually as has been seen with other examples as well.

Sterling- 50mill

Rice- 150mill

Bellingham - 100mill

Absolutely ridiculous prices, but absolutely a better way to blow 300mill than we did...