West Ham’s new lucrative £120,000-a-week deal for their key star is an absolute no-brainer – Agreed?

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Why a new lucrative deal for Declan Rice is an absolute no-brainer for West Ham

According to The Sun, Declan Rice might be in line to get a pay bump with West Ham now having to look at the prospect of handing him a new contract. The midfielder was courted by Chelsea all through the summer. But West Ham’s valuation of the player made sure he stayed at the club.

Profile

Declan Rice is a 21-year-old English midfielder who plays for West Ham United. A fact about him is that he started out his youth career at Chelsea back in 2006. After getting released, he joined West Ham’s academy in 2014.

After four years in the youth team, Rice broke into the first-team during the 2017-18 season. In the following seasons, he impressed one and all and has since gone on to make more than 100 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 3 goals and providing 4 assists.

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England’s midfielder Declan Rice plays the ball during the UEFA Nations League football match between Iceland v England on September 5, 2020 in Reykjavik. (Photo by Haraldur Gudjonsson / AFP) (Photo by HARALDUR GUDJONSSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite playing for the Ireland national youth teams and representing the senior side three times in friendlies, Rice pledged his allegiance for England and was subsequently drafted into the Three Lions setup. So far, he has nine caps for England.

Rice is a very versatile defensive player who can play as a defensive midfielder as well as a centre-back if required.

Why a new contract is a no-brainer

An academy graduate for West Ham, Declan Rice has come a long way in the last 3 years. He has matured into one the league’s finest defensive midfielders.

Despite so much interest from big clubs, Rice has never let it affect his performances. He has never gone out of his way to express that he wants to leave the club. The midfielder has kept his head down and worked hard to improve his game.

Declan Rice (Getty Images)
Declan Rice has been linked with an exit from West Ham (Getty Images)

Rice signed his last contract in 2018 which earns him around £60,000 per week. With other players such as Andriy Yarmolenko earning close to £100,000 per week, it puts West Ham in a spot to at least double Rice’s wages.

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After all, he has been one of their best players in the last few seasons despite the doom and gloom surrounding the club. No one can say that he does not deserve a new and improved contract. West Ham would be wise to tie down their crown jewel to a new contract after fending off interest from Chelsea.