Declan Rice discusses lofty price tag reality.
While it might feel good to have so many people rating him as one of the top prospects in football, Declan Rice admitted it isn’t all good things when you have a £150m price tag.
After a top season that has given him the third place in the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year award, the West Ham star discussed the speculation that surrounds his form.
“I feel like playing well comes with speculation,” said Rice on Sky Sports.
🗣️ “I would have liked to have won it.”
Declan Rice reacts to Mo Salah winning the FWA Footballer of the Year after coming third 🥉 pic.twitter.com/xUNJoNthvX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 29, 2022
“I’ve had two or three top seasons with West Ham and the top clubs around the country are always going to be watching. It’s not just me, it’s the same for every player.
“I think it’s important not to get too carried away with that. We’ve had a good season with West Ham and there have been big games I’ve had to play in so I feel like my focus has always been on that. If I thought about other things, I’d get carried away and that wouldn’t be fair on the team or the manager.”
‘Battered’ on social media
£150m is an absurd amount of money, so when it comes to deciphering whether a player is worth that, there are sure to be a few who have a go at the player over it. While some of it is harmless joking with teammates, some comments online can be a lot harsher, Rice said.
🗣 “I get battered for it.”
Declan Rice on his future with West Ham and the numbers quotes to pry him away from the club this summer. 💰 pic.twitter.com/tVtD2shTr1
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 1, 2022
“I can’t help speculation, even with the numbers that get talked about. I get battered for it all the time on social media, but I can’t help that. I can help by going on the pitch and performing as best as I can.
“They [West Ham teammates] wind me up all the time. It’s crazy to speak about to be honest, so I just kind of block it out and do what I do best and that’s play football.”
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Read More About: Declan Rice, West Ham