David Moyes has reiterated Declan Rice is not for sale and believes the West Ham midfielder is England’s best player so far this season.
Rice’s stock has increased after another impressive season for club and country, with Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly interested in signing him.
The 23-year-old was capped 29 times by England and made all seven appearances at Euro 2020 as they lost terribly to Italy on penalties in the final.
Speaking earlier this week, Moyes believes Rice is worth at least £150m but insists ‘England’s best player’ will not be sold this summer.
“I think he’s been the best English performer at the Euros. The most consistent performer,” the West Ham boss said. sky sports.
“Some of the players are now playing very well, Harry Kane for example, but if you looked at him from the start of the season to where we are now, I would put Declan in that very high consistent bracket.”
Rice has been a key player for England
Asked if it was just rumors about Rice leaving West Ham and if he had heard anything, Moyes added: “If I heard anything, I wouldn’t tell you. wouldn’t say.
“But the best thing to say is ‘no, we don’t have it,’ and let me tell you, it’s not for sale. So that may close any questions about Declan, but we expect to questions about him because he does it well.
“Is he irreplaceable? Well, I had to sell Wayne Rooney early when I was at Everton. I thought Wayne was irreplaceable, but what happens in football is you move on. That’s what happens in football.
“Sometimes things like this happen, but we have no intention of letting that happen right now here at West Ham.”
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Moyes says he hopes to make West Ham regular contenders for Europe like he did with Everton
West Ham are seventh in the Premier League as they aim for an improvement from sixth place last season and a possible qualification for next season’s Champions League.
The Hammers could also qualify for the competition by winning the Europa League, with Moyes’ side in the quarter-finals where they face Lyon.
Asked what a successful campaign for West Ham would be like, Moyes said: “I think if we can finish in a European position again. European football for West Ham would be fantastic when you look at the level of competition.
“These clubs (around and above us) are really tough to beat and they always have been. To get into the top six in the Premier League, we did it last year and we’re on the way. about to do it again this year and we want to try to stay there, that would be good.
“It would be huge if we could also make the semi-finals of the Europa League.”
Follow West Ham United with Sky Sports
Follow every West Ham game in the Premier League this season with our live blogs on the Sky Sports website and app, and watch match summaries for free shortly after full time.
Want the latest West Ham? Mark our West Ham news pageto verify West Ham schedule and Latest West Ham resultslook West Ham goals and videokeep track of Premier League table and discover the upcoming West Ham matches live on Sky Sports.
Get all this and more – including notifications sent straight to your phone – by downloading the Sky Sports Scores app and make West Ham your favorite team.
Hear the best Premier League reaction and expert analysis with the Essential Soccer and Gary Neville podcasts, stay up to date with our dedicated transfer centerfollow Sky Sports social accounts on Twitter, instagram and Youtubeand find out how get Sky Sports.
