Declan Rice has set ambitions of pushing for ‘big trophies’ and playing in the Champions League – to fuel speculation he will look to leave West Ham in 2023.
The Hammers star is currently on international duty with England at the World Cup and has started each of the Three Lions group games which saw them progress to the knockout stages.
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Rice has played 37 times for England since making his debut in 2019
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And it looks like he’s intent on taking his career to the next level and leaving West Ham
The 23-year-old’s call-up for Qatar already marks his second major tournament with his country, having also represented England at Euro 2020.
Last season also marked a strong campaign for Rice in club football, as West Ham finished seventh and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.
But 2022/23 has been a different story for the Hammers so far, with the east London side sitting 16th in the table, just a point off the Premier League drop zone.
Now Rice has hinted that his time at West Ham may soon be over, given that he aims to play at the top and challenge for major honors like many of his England team-mates.
“For two or three years, I have been saying that [I want more]he told media in Qatar on Thursday.
“You know, I’ve always played well for the club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing.
“I see my friends here playing the Champions League, winning the big trophies.
“You only get one career and at the end of your career you want to look back and [look at] what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played.
“I’m really ambitious and I really want to do this.”
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Rice still has around 18 months left on his contract with West Ham, but the Hammers skipper has attracted a lot of interest from elsewhere
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England teammate and Chelsea star Mount’s success at club level could inspire Rice
In his eight years at West Ham since arriving there after being released by Chelsea as a youngster, Rice has played 215 games for the Hammers senior side – but hasn’t won any trophies.
The defensive midfielder was already expected to leave at the end of the campaign, with his role in the international team and at the London stadium attracting a lot of interest from other clubs.
But with stars such as close friend and Champions League winner Mason Mount by his side in the Middle East, Rice may have already headed mentally for the London Stadium exit.
England then face second-placed Group A Senegal in the round of 16 as Rice and the rest of Gareth Southgate’s side look to secure the Three Lions’ first major honor since 1966.
Rice knows the threat Senegal will pose, but thinks England’s ‘world-class’ side are worth fearing.
“I think it’s a very high level,” Rice said of England’s squad in Qatar.
“It’s always nice to know that you can bring players off the bench who can instantly change the game.
“Whether we are 0-0 down and need a refresh up front, or need a change of legs in midfield, or even at the back, we have class players. world that can change the game. immediately.
“Throughout a World Cup you will need that quality. So I think he ranks very high among the other teams in the tournament.
“Why shouldn’t we be feared? I think other nations will always look at us and think about the quality we have in the team. If you look at our attacking players, there’s some incredible world-class talent at every level. Through the whole team.
“There are players who have played in the biggest games, won the biggest trophies. We are one of the biggest teams here.
