---
title: "West Ham fans react as Declan Rice is linked with Chelsea"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-fans-react-as-declan-rice-is-linked-with-chelsea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jack Heale"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2018-11-02T19:45:41Z"
modified: "2018-11-02T19:45:41Z"
---

# West Ham fans react as Declan Rice is linked with Chelsea

**Declan Rice had risen through the ranks at Chelsea’s academy until the age of 14, when, upon his release, he was snapped up by West Ham United, and has since made the grade in the first-team after ascending from the Academy of Football.**

Rice is now a key component in Manuel Pellegrini’s team whereby he shields the backline in a defensive midfield role, and he is certainly doing a decent job in that area of the pitch having helped the Hammers to two wins and two draws in his last six Premier League starts.

However, as his contract only runs up until the summer of 2019, Chelsea have [reportedly](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/739753/Chelsea-news-West-Ham-Declan-Rice-Transfer-News-Gossip-Contract-Premier-League-England-Pay) been keeping tabs on Rice and could take the player back to South West London.

> [https://t.co/7llq9iMkUV](https://t.co/7llq9iMkUV)
>
> — ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) [November 1, 2018](https://twitter.com/ExWHUemployee/status/1058141822701199360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Unsurprisingly, these recent links have stimulated quite a response from several West Ham fans on Twitter, some of which wouldn’t be overly surprised if their side were to indeed lose one of their best performers…

https://twitter.com/BensonTadhg/status/1058144227014701058

https://twitter.com/DanielReid\_\_/status/1058150133009809408

> Wow I wouldn’t be surprised if he went back
>
> — jj (@jeremiahhjoshua) [November 1, 2018](https://twitter.com/jeremiahhjoshua/status/1058142287090380801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Yet multiple other fans are suggesting that West Ham must fork out a substantial amount in an attempt to keep Rice at the London Stadium…

> Of course they are! Who wouldn't! Wake up Sullivan, Gold and Pellegrini! Sort it!
>
> — Joe White (@JwhiteJoe) [November 2, 2018](https://twitter.com/JwhiteJoe/status/1058352935145521152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Needed sorting BEFORE the season started, even more important now. Future captain
>
> — John Spencer (@Spencerjohn7) [November 2, 2018](https://twitter.com/Spencerjohn7/status/1058255227852218368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Praying to got this won’t be another Lampard situation get the deal tied down!
>
> — Eddie Carter (@xCarterzz) [November 2, 2018](https://twitter.com/xCarterzz/status/1058167586058366976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Last chance saloon. Let’s go all in. We need to offer fair market value today. £50k plus in my view.
>
> — Dr Shinebox PhD (@CryptoShineBox) [November 2, 2018](https://twitter.com/CryptoShineBox/status/1058268282451574784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He supports Chelsea. We need to just give him what he wants. We can't afford to leave him now
>
> — George (@redoe165) [November 2, 2018](https://twitter.com/redoe165/status/1058149417092571136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

One fan, in particular, seems to be bewildered as to how the deal has not been negotiated yet…

> I just don't get this story. Rice has been unbelievable this season and regularly been our best player in games. We spent £42 million on Anderson and pay Antonio a ridiculous wage.
>
> Why can't this contract be sorted? Is it just money or is there underline issues here?
>
> — Nick Bel (@NickBel22) [November 2, 2018](https://twitter.com/NickBel22/status/1058249708068515842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

**West Ham fans… what do you think? Let us know!**