Whilst Declan Rice is a “priority target” for Chelsea, the west London club stand “no chance” of prising him away from West Ham midway through the season.
What’s the word?
That is according to journalist Simon Phillips, who understands that the England international is at the top of Chelsea’s wish list as the January transfer window draws ever closer.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Phillips said: “We’ve been told for months now that Rice is going to be a priority target for Chelsea come the summer. There’s no chance, I don’t think, of him moving in January.”
January disaster looming
Chelsea are in desperate need of a boost as we head closer to the resumption of the Premier League season, and that could have been achieved with the high-profile coup of West Ham skipper Rice.
The Stamford Bridge outfit have leaked 17 league goals already this season, which is uncharacteristic considering that it is already just over half of the 33 goals that they conceded across 38 games last term,- which ranked them as the third-best defence in the league in 2021/22.
With his average of 8.32 ball recoveries per game across the last year placing him in the 94th percentile among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, the £150m-valued Rice would be an integral addition in Graham Potter’s engine room, possessing quality throughout both attacking and defending phases.
As far as Phillips is concerned, though, this will not materalise, at least not during the winter.
It could be a January transfer disaster for Chelsea as they lag behind in the race for a Champions League berth, although they will likely test West Ham’s resolve in the summer in any event.
