West Ham Player Analysis Review: Holding Midfielders

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Jack Wilshere of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Jack Wilshere of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
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PRESTON, ENGLAND – JULY 21: Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Preston North End and West Ham United at Deepdale on July 21, 2018 in Preston, England. (Photo b Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
PRESTON, ENGLAND – JULY 21: Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Preston North End and West Ham United at Deepdale on July 21, 2018 in Preston, England. (Photo b Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)

Declan Rice 4/10

Declan Rice’s poor Liverpool performance has marred what should have been an exciting day in Declan Rice’s West Ham future – the day he settled in under Pellegrini. Instead, Rice was dropped from the squad and he has yet to make a Premier League appearance again under Pellegrini.

This time off saw Rice put in a man-of-the-match performance in West Ham’s 3-1 win over AFC Wimbledon as well as become the centerpiece to an international crisis between England and Ireland. Okay, maybe it hasn’t reached that level of intensity yet, but Rice is still taking time to decide his international future.

Rice’s rating is as high as it is because he is a better player than his performance against Liverpool suggested, but hasn’t been given a chance. The best decision for Rice at this time (in my opinion, of course) is to declare for Ireland, get back in highly competitive international matches in the central midfield position, and earn a spot back in West Ham’s midfield.

Season Stats:

Games: 1
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Tackles: 1 (100% success)
Blocked Shots: 0
Interceptions: 1
Clearances: 0 (0 headed)
Recoveries: 1
Duels: 1-2
50/50s: 0
Aerial Battles: 0-1
Errors Leading to Goal: 0
Passes: 24
Through Balls: 0
Accurate Long Balls: 0