Why West Ham fans need to remain patient with Declan Rice

Since bursting onto the scene during the 2017/2018 season, Declan Rice has arguably been West Ham’s most consistent performer.

Breaking through as a central defender, the 20-year-old is now a mainstay at the base of the Hammers’ midfield and has earned plaudits from far and wide, none more so than England manager Gareth Southgate, who has now picked Rice in every squad since the latter declared himself as an Englishman.

With the European Championships beckoning in the Summer of 2020, Rice will want to prove himself more so now than ever to earn himself a place in Southgate’s young and exciting England team.

This does mean though, that along with the rest of his teammates at West Ham, he will have to improve his form a great deal, sooner rather than later, if he is to get a look in.

West Ham have suffered rocky patches of form since Rice’s emergence in the first team, as is the nature of the cursed club from East London, but on a personal level, this is the first time that he has looked helpless over a sustained period of time.

Earlier in the season, Rice looked as though he was continuing his journey as a promising yet mature footballer. Since beating Manchester United 2-0, however, the England international has retreated into his shell, as West Ham have succumbed to four losses and two draws in their last six Premier League outings.

The form of club captain and midfielder partner Mark Noble hasn’t helped as games continue to pass him by, leaving Rice exposed at the heart of midfield, meaning opposition are creating chances galore against a leaky West Ham defense.

But it would be disingenuous to point the finger at others, as I’m sure that Declan himself testifies to. The calmness that he has so often showed when in possession of the ball has turned into panic, leading to stray passes that are so uncharacteristic of his play. His positioning has also been of concern, as players are starting to find more accessibility in the areas of the pitch that he had previously marshaled like a bouncer refusing entry to an underage clubber.

Along with the obvious murmurings about West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini’s tactics and decision making, along with not one player currently playing to their potential for the Hammers, perhaps Rice has started to take his place for granted?

As excellent as he has performed over the last year or so, Rice’s only competition in the West Ham team is an ageing, cumbersome Carlos Sanchez. After his last outing in West Ham’s League Cup 4-0 thrashing away to Oxford United, it is not hard to see why‌ Rice may be feeling a little bit too comfortable right now.

He has been named in Southgate’s squad for England’s upcoming Euro Qualifying clashes against Montenegro and Kosovo, but would a non-selection on his part have been the kick up the backside Rice needed?

In actuality, we are analyzing a very small sample of what has been a very impressive but young West Ham career to date. Dips in form happen to all players, of all ages, and how Rice comes back from these trying times will certainly put him in good stead throughout his career.

What every West Ham fan will hope Rice shows, though, is the mental strength to climb his way out of the rut that he finds himself in, while setting an example to the rest of his club teammates, in a bid to turn their downward-spiraling season back around.