When will West Ham’s Declan Rice make decision on international future?

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Declan Rice of West Ham United competes for the ball with Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Declan Rice of West Ham United competes for the ball with Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s Declan Rice has been a subject of media attention for a few weeks now. With a contract issue hopefully resolving soon, his international future is now the focus.

For Declan Rice, the last few seasons have been a huge coming of age. With the youngster going from making his first team debut, international selection and then becoming a West Ham regular, he’s had the ascension most juniors dream about. With the contract decision hopefully not his to think about, when can we expect international movement?

With the next round of international fixtures set to come up soon, the squads will be announced in the next few days. It wasn’t until the squad announcement that we knew Rice had asked for time before, and I would expect it to be the same this time. With all the attention, will Rice have changed his mind in the time he’s had?

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He’s not exactly had any quiet since then, and for a 19 year old lad this can be a lot. Being asked to make a decision for your future at such a young age is a harsh reality for most teenagers now, but Rice has to make his with two nations looking on in expectation and judgement. With the contract issue also weighing on his mind, I don’t think he’ll make a decision yet.

Whilst there will be many Irish supporters who want him to make a decision to play in green the lure of playing for England would turn a lot of heads. He has also received a lot of praise in the media, and that has to feel good. If he thinks he can get regular time for the three lions, why not wait?

I hope that whatever decision he makes, there’s no stopping his meteoric rise. We’ve seen him defended on almost every show, picked for team of the weeks across Europe and also make the Bleacher Report Power Rankings. Which international side will get the pleasure of hosting this young talent? I don’t think we’ll find out for a month or so.