According to ExWHUemployee, London rivals Chelsea are keen on a move for West Ham ace Declan Rice.

Indeed, this news should be a gutting one for Hammers fans, as the 21-year-old, who came from their academy has been a very important asset to the side.

As per WhoScored, he averages the second-most tackles per game (3), the most interceptions (1.2) and the most dribbles of any midfielder (1.5), so it’s clear he’s a major part of their engine room. 

Couple that with the fact he averages the most passes per game (45) with the second-highest accuracy (86.2%), it's obvious that losing him would really gut the side in the middle of the park.

This, added with the fact that Mark Noble, who typically plays alongside him, is surely in the autumn of his career at the very least as he nears 33, could really deprive the midfield in some the key areas mentioned above.

Rice is also a regular in Gareth Southgate's England squad so, with West Ham's poor season which currently sees them fighting for survival, it seems like a more successful club signing the player is somewhat inevitable.

If they do lose him, it will be hard to replace him and would be bad news for all associated with the club.

West Ham fans, do you think you can keep hold of the midfielder? Comment below!