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Best case scenario if West Ham sell Declan Rice

By Henry Tomlinson

West Ham United's English midfielder Declan Rice reacts during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on July 5, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United's English midfielder Declan Rice reacts during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on July 5, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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West Ham star Declan Rice has been the subject of interest from Chelsea for most of the transfer window, but there could be positives if he were sold.

Chelsea has had a hectic summer thus far, the blues have signed Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell, they are also close to signing Kai Havertz from Leverkusen. West Ham could demand a fee of £80 million for Declan Rice and if matched that amount of money could benefit the squad, should Chelsea come in for him.

If the Hammers received £80 million for Rice that money if reinvested, could be spent on improving the squad as a whole. David Moyes has been forced to sell players to raise funds for his transfers. The money from Rice’s potential sale could fund moves for the Scots targets.

Here are the positions that could benefit.

Left-back

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Rico Henry of Brentford controls the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Cardiff City at Griffin Park on December 11, 2019 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Rico Henry of Brentford controls the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Cardiff City at Griffin Park on December 11, 2019 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images) /

One of West Ham’s significant problem positions is of course left-back, it has been for a couple of years now. Part of the money brought in could fund a move for Brentford’s Rico Henry. The 23-year-old was part of an impressive promotion push by the Bees last season.

Current Hammers, Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku, have both proved to be inconsistent, something Henry would improve on. The Englishman made more defensive actions per ninety minutes than both of Cresswell and Masuaku. Henry made 1.5 tackles, 1.1 interceptions 1.9 clearances per ninety last season.

Henry impresses as much in the attack as he does defensively. The full-back assisted three goals last season, more than Cresswell and Masuaku combined. Despite looking so good, West Ham could probably sign him for around £10 million, which would be a bargain in today’s market.

Right-back

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 19: Matty Cash of Nottingham Forest during the Preseason Friendly match between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace at City Ground on July 19, 2019 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 19: Matty Cash of Nottingham Forest during the Preseason Friendly match between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace at City Ground on July 19, 2019 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

West Ham’s other weak spot is the opposite full-back position. Ryan Fredericks, like Cresswell and Masuaku, has proved to be inconsistent. The club’s other option, Ben Johnson, is still very raw and may not be ready to be the clubs first choice.

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With these issues, a move for Nottingham Forest’s Matty Cash could be a real possibility. The Hammers will have to beat Aston Villa and Sheffield United for his signature, but it would be worthwhile.

Cash was a significant part of one of the Championship’s best defences last season. Forest only conceded fifty goals last season, and before lockdown had the best record in the division. Originally a midfielder, Cash has been converted into the League’s best full-back by manager Sabri Lamouchi.

The 23-year-old like Henry has better defensive stats than the club’s current options. Cash made 2.6 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 3 clearances per ninety minutes, very impressive. Since Cash’s transformation to a full-back, he has still provided brilliantly going forward as well.

The former midfielder scored three goals and assisted a further five, in a season which saw Cash develop into one of the country hottest prospects. The price for him is still relatively low; however, Forest wants a reported £15 million, this fee should be no trouble with the money brought in from Rice.

Centre-midfield

ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – AUGUST 26: Teun Koopmeiners of Alkmaar Zaanstreek scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League qualification match between AZ Alkmaar and FC Viktoria Plzen at AZ Stadion, Alkmaar, Netherlands on August 26, 2020 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – AUGUST 26: Teun Koopmeiners of Alkmaar Zaanstreek scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League qualification match between AZ Alkmaar and FC Viktoria Plzen at AZ Stadion, Alkmaar, Netherlands on August 26, 2020 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

With Rice’s potential departure, the gap he would leave in the midfield would be huge, but there is one option that could replace him. That man is AZ Alkmaar’s Teun Koopmeiners. The 22-year-old had another impressive season, scoring sixteen goals and assisting three more.

Attacking wise the Dutchman provides a lot more than Rice, but he still does the defensive of the game very well. Koopmeiners averages 1.9 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 2 clearances per ninety minutes. These numbers are behind Rice’s, but the Dutchman has been playing in a side that does not have to defend as much, meaning in Rice’s position his numbers could easily match the Hammer.

Koopmeiners has a brilliant free-kick and long shot on him, which could see another dimension brought into the Hammers midfield. Of Course, Rice has this ability, but he does not use it enough. Despite his young age, Koopmeiners is already the captain of Alkmaar and possesses excellent leadership qualities, another quality that would help soften the loss of Rice.

Having been capped at every level by the dutch national set-up, Koopmeiners looks destined to become a regular full international. Currently valued at £13 million on transfermarkt, West Ham would do very well to sign him for around £20 million, but if they did, he could be a great replacement.

Striker

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Ollie Watkins #11 of Brentford celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi-final 2nd Leg match between Brentford and Swansea City at Griffin Park on July 29, 2020 in Brentford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Ollie Watkins #11 of Brentford celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi-final 2nd Leg match between Brentford and Swansea City at Griffin Park on July 29, 2020 in Brentford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Top scorer of the Championship last season, Ollie Watkins is still at Brentford and could be snapped up at any moment. West Ham needs another striker, especially if Michail Antonio’s injury is a bad one, the forward was forced off in the Hammer’s preseason friendly against Brentford.

Watkins is a clinical finisher, scoring twenty-six goals in the Championship last season. Sebastien Haller only managed seven in his debut season at the club. Of course, the Premier League is a big step up from the Championship, but Watkins does have a special reference.

West Ham legend Frank McAvennie has spoken about the striker and wants him at the London Stadium next season.

"“I would love to see Watkins replace him because he is a real talent. He is only 24 and I was around about that age when I went to West Ham, it is a good age. He looks as if he really enjoys the game.” McAvennie said."

It could cost the Hammers as much as £25 million to sign Watkins, but if he performs half as well as he did in the Championship that expenditure would be justified.

Next. West Ham beat ambitious Brentford as preseason continues. dark

Yes, the absolute best case would be to add these players to the squad and keep Rice. But if the required £70 million was spent on bringing these faces in, it could be a masterstroke by the club.