West Ham coach Kevin Nolan has admitted to talkSPORT that Declan Rice is likely to leave the club this summer.
Speaking to White and Jordan, the Hammers assistant insists he, David Moyes and the club don’t want to lose their captain, who he brands ‘the closest I’ve seen to Steven Gerrard’.
But he admits Rice moving on is inevitable this summer, saying he deserves to play Champions League football.
Asked by talkSPORT host Jim White where the West Ham skipper is heading this summer, Nolan replied with a chuckle: “Speaking to Dec today I know he’s… just going to play for England tomorrow!
“Dec has given everything to the club, he’s been phenomenal, he’s been our best player for the last three seasons by a county mile and was the best player in the Europa Conference League this season.
“I feel like everyone at the club feels it’s coming to an end, but do we want it to? Do I want it to? Not a chance.
“I don’t want to lose him because of what he gives the club, he’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Steven Gerrard on a pitch, in terms of his key attributes. The way he glides past players, the way he can play a defensive role and then flow into an attacking position.
“He loves West Ham, but hand on heart he’s got to play in the Champions League week-in, week-out.”
