Declan Rice

17 year old Irish centre back Declan Rice has made the bench today for West Ham v Swansea

Arsenal are interested in him apparently https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/footb...t-declan-rice/

Never realised this lad was English-born (or else reared-he has an English accent). Hope that doesn't present an issue down the line. He has been fast-tracked into our under 21 squad but, in fairness, that's more representative of him captaining West Ham under 23 side.

Has signed a new long-term professional contract at West Ham.

http://www.essexlive.news/west-ham-u...ail/story.html

On the bench again today: https://twitter.com/WestHamUtd/statu...31434193960961

Blimey, is this going to be one of those threads?

Is this him??



He was born in ireland according to this

http://www.squawka.com/news/rice-sig...tMLE9y6jJQj.97

Captain of the u23's at 17 is seriously impressive!

Yeah, he definitely has an English accent and has been with West Ham a while I.e. pre-16.

If he were to have switched he'd have been on the radar of England for a while as he's clearly a standout at West Ham given how he's been elevated to under 23 captain and senior squad at such a young age.

I'd be interested to hear some more about his background. There's nothing online that I can see.

Was let go by Chelsea at 14/15 so fair play for battling back

According to this interview with him, he qualifies through his grandparents: http://www.thewesthamway.co.uk/2017/...w-declan-rice/

The experience playing for Ireland u21’s was incredible, really didn’t expect to get the call up but it was a dream come true to play for them. My Nan and Grandad are Irish, so that is how I qualify to play for them.

Also, his dad played at semi professional level, and his brother was also at Chelsea

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

According to this interview with him, he qualifies through his grandparents: http://www.thewesthamway.co.uk/2017/...w-declan-rice/

Also, his dad played at semi professional level, and his brother was also at Chelsea

Cheers Tets. "Dream come true" does it for me.

I dunno. He said them not us. That opens itself to TOWK forensic / linguistic scrutiny and I fear there'll only be one result.

set to feature on Sunday: http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2...-could-feature

Can he feel a bit unlucky not to be in the squad ? Referencing 26yo Long after two apps at Burnley and those only end of season and due to injuries to others. Also with O'Dowda, Forrester and particularly Byrne having made these gatherings previously.

Long at least has had a decent amount of appearances at senior level, at Cork and out on loan. O'Dowda had three seasons at Oxford behind him. Rice is only making his senior debut.

Michael Harriman made a Premier League appearance with QPR. The young lad on loan at Limerick from Sunderland made a Premier League appearance.

Rice has a long road ahead of him yet.

89th minute sub.

Aidan Fitzmaurice claims that Rice "is said to be committed to playing for Ireland but it's thought that this call-up to the senior panel is a move by the FAI to fend off any attempt by England to 'sign' [him], as happened with Jack Grealish": http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-35747101.html

For what it's worth, Rice will remain eligible to play for England until he makes his senior competitive debut for us, so I don't see why a call-up to a training camp would necessarily fend off English interest.

I read he qualifies through parentage but does anyone know yet more detail on that if he is he 2G or 3G etc ? With Liam Kelly there were various versions, even one that he was Irish born doing the rounds till his actual senior call up so I guess we will know more in the coming days.

According to this piece, he qualifies through "the percentage rule"...

Originally Posted by Sam Inkersole

The youngster, who qualifies for Ireland through the percentage rule, managed to get a couple of minutes off the bench during the 2-1 won over Burnley on Sunday and has reportedly impressed Slaven Bilic a lot during his time training with the first team.

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

I read he qualifies through parentage but does anyone know yet more detail on that if he is he 2G or 3G etc ? With Liam Kelly there were various versions, even one that he was Irish born doing the rounds till his actual senior call up so I guess we will know more in the coming days.

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

According to this piece, he qualifies through "the percentage rule"...

meanwhile, further up the same page

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

According to this interview with him, he qualifies through his grandparents: http://www.thewesthamway.co.uk/2017/...w-declan-rice/

Also, his dad played at semi professional level, and his brother was also at Chelsea