Assessing Declan Rice’s options between Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs

Eight years after leaving Chelsea as a 14-year-old, West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice now finds himself being the focal point of an interesting transfer battle.

According to the Guardian, The 22-year-old has rejected two new contract offers from his current employers as he is evidently aware of the interest from across the country.

The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have emerged as potential destinations and the player is keen on keeping his options open.

For West Ham, they are under no pressure as the player still has three years left on his current contract. But the current situation does give them the leverage to ask for a hefty transfer fee.

With a move for Rice evidently on the cards, we analyse which club between Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City make more sense for the midfielder.

A rugged battle for a place in the Chelsea team

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend recently pointed out the ideal reason why a move to Chelsea could be a risky decision for Rice.

Andros Townsend on TalkSport:

"Chelsea like their holding midfielders to be ball-playing. I think Kante has kind of broken into that team, so it’s him and a ball-playing midfielder. Unless Kovacic or Jorginho leave, I don’t see where he’d fit in there."

N’Golo Kante is simply irreplaceable in the Chelsea team, meaning that Rice will have to fight either Jorginho or Mateo Kovacic for the only place in the midfield.

With Tuchel preferring a 3-5-2 approach, there isn’t a big canvas to work for an extra midfielder.

In big matches, like the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City, Tuchel stuck with the pairing of Kante and Jorginho, and this is expected to be the trend even in the 2021/22 season.

To sum it up, both Chelsea and Rice will be up for a gamble if a move to Stamford Bridge does materialize.

At 22, the midfielder won’t settle for a squad role, while the Blues are in no state of offering a permanent starting spot either.

Rice can end Manchester United’s search

“Manchester United is a different kettle of fish. Look at Paul Pogba at the Euros with Kante doing all the running for him and Pogba having the license to spray passes left, right and centre.

He would need another player like that next to him, so, that’s a different kettle of fish altogether,” Townsend added in his interview with TalkSport.

Declan Rice is someone who can end Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s defensive midfielder search. Now, Rice does prefer to go forward at times, but his defensive numbers speak for itself. Against Germany in England’s Euro 2020 Round of 16 tie, Rice made four tackles and three interceptions, which was the most by any English player on the night.

All English Premier League

And while he is certain to lock horns with the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay for the role, the competition at United is going to be manageable.

His presence in front of the back four will give United a much-needed assurance, resulting in Paul Pogba getting greater freedom to work on his offensive duties.

In terms of approach, United do have the leverage over Chelsea as they can include Jesse Lingard as part of the deal.

Lingard spent a successful loan spell at West Ham last season and David Moyes is said to have asked the Hammers to enquire about a permanent move.

But with plenty of time remaining on his West Ham contract, the Hammers may not even listen to offers.

Manchester City in the mix

And then there’s this potential interest from Manchester City as well.

The prospect of playing under Pep Guardiola can be too hard to refuse for any player let alone for Declan Rice. This coupled with the fact that Fernaninho isn’t getting younger and Rodri is his only viable cover could make things interesting.

Like their inter-city rivals, Manchester United, the Cityzens can offer Rice more playing time, but knowing the financial prowess of the City Football Group, the Hammers might look to churn out big bucks from the deal.