Anton Ferdinand has urged midfielder Declan Rice to reject a move to Manchester United and remain at West Ham United.
Man United along with Chelsea are the two biggest suitors for the defensive midfielder, with United said to be the more interested club. Ferdinand though wants him to remain with West Ham United because, with them, Rice has a better chance of playing in Europe.
Ferdinand told The Sun: “Man Utd isn’t the place to go right now. They’re going through a massive transitional period. For me personally, if I’m Rice, Man Utd is not a place that I’d be going. I’d wait a few years and see what Ten Hag does.
“Whether he can implement what he did at Ajax at Man Utd and get them looking more like a team that can challenge. Otherwise, what’s the point in leaving West Ham to go somewhere you’re not even challenging for a title.
“You’re challenging to get into Europe. That’s what West Ham are doing – challenging to get into the Champions League. We’ve got something to build on. He’d be in the same place at Man Utd, and all it would come down to is the stature of the football club.
“As a footballer myself, I’m not going somewhere, just because it’s a bigger club. You’ve got everything at a club where you’re loved, and you’re the main man. At Man Utd, you’ll be one of many. Whereas, you can stay at West Ham and challenge for Europe and be the main man.”
Will Declan Rice remain at West Ham United?
Champions League football or not, Declan Rice is not likely to remain at the London Stadium beyond this season.
Most ball recoveries in the Premier League this season (outfield):
🥇 Declan Rice [257]
🥈 Rodri [249]
🥉 Christian Norgaard [248]Doing their jobs to perfection. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ReiJwjHCVR
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 29, 2022
This is the perfect time for the England international to move up the ladder and a transfer to either Manchester United or Chelsea is the next logical step.
Even the Hammers know they can get very good value out of him right now and Moyes can use that money to bring in reinforcements for the upcoming season.
Chelsea ahead of Man United in the pecking order?
As it is, United might have to pull out of this transfer race because of their failure to qualify for the Champions League because recent reports have suggested that Erik ten Hag has asked his new club to move away from the expensive Declan Rice and focus on players like Kalvin Phillips and Ruben Neves.
In the next few months, Chelsea might have a free run at the West Ham United man but that will depend on whether their new owners are ready to spend 100-120 million pounds on a single player.
If United fall out of this race then Chelsea will automatically move up the pecking order but either way, it’s highly unlikely that Declan Rice will remain a West Ham player next season.
