Gabby Agbonlahor believes West Ham midfielder Declan Rice will reject a move to Graham Potter’s Chelsea and instead join Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
The ex-Aston Villa striker pointed out that Chelsea have English record transfer signing Enzo Fernandes, and if Rice enters Arsenal’s midfield then he feels he can play Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Out of eleven people.
Beyond that, Agbonlahor believes that while Rice was promoted at Chelsea, a project in north London and the current Premier League leaders may be a better fit for the 24-year-old.
In the summer, Rice, who captained West Ham United, is expected to head for the exit at the London Stadium, with David Moyes suggesting he will be more valuable than Enzo Fernandes.
Arsenal struggled to land a true No 6 when they tried to sign Brighton’s Moises Caicedo in the January transfer window before they made a cheaper and more experienced signing from Chelsea Jorginho.
They clearly feel the department needs more depth, but are they willing to spend over £100m on Rice, well, Agbonlahor shared his thoughts, As he told talkSPORT (01/03/23 at 6:40am).
“I think he prefers Chelsea, he was there as a kid, wasn’t he?! Then he was let go,” Abanglaho said. “You have Enzo Fernandes who just signed. They have a lot of midfielders, Chelsea.
“The way Arsenal are playing at the moment. He might look at Arteta’s project and think ‘why not?! I can go in’.
“Jorginho won’t play much. Thomas Partey is injured. Declan Rice comes in on that side, he keeps his place and he knocks two of their players out next season. I think, If you were Declan Rice, then I would go to Arsenal.”
rice is no better than a party
From a team perspective, Rice would be an excellent deal for the Gunners, as having a player on the bench would reduce concerns about Patty being injured and missing games.
It’s just a matter of whether the north London board are willing to heap their praises on the Englishman, who has not impressed Roy Keane despite all the talk about his future.
But if Rice joins a Champions League team, his level has to improve because in his time, he’s not at the level of someone like Thomas Partey.
In other news, Albert Lokonga shares his exit plans as he speaks about Arsenal future
