West Ham star Declan Rice could be Chelsea’s missing piece

Despite their heavy summer spending, West Ham star Declan Rice could be the final missing piece Chelsea want ahead of the transfer window closing next month.

West Ham’s 21-year-old has been linked with the Blues all throughout the summer, but following a recent lull, the rumours are in full swing again after Chelsea manager Frank Lampard reportedly ‘changed his mind’ about signing Rice following their 2-0 loss to Liverpool.

This potential transfer has raised question marks over the futures of a number of players to get the deal done, including players that could be used by Chelsea as part of a player plus cash deal. Some rumours claim Chelsea are considering selling N’Golo Kante to raise money for the deal to happen.

Rice himself is said to be keen on the move and is pushing for it, according to football journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Furthermore, what could be worrying for the Hammers is he could be Chelsea’s final missing piece.

It’s no secret the Blues have spent serious money this summer, recently adding Senegal international goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy as their seventh signing this transfer window to their squad, joining the likes of club-record signing Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell.

Chelsea have added to the key areas of the pitch Frank Lampard wanted to strengthen so far – and that defensive midfield spot could be the last one to fill.

Jorginho has been linked with moves away from the Blues all summer – including the most recent rumours linking him with a move to Arsenal.

And reports claim Lampard sees N’Golo Kante as more of a midfielder than a defensive midfielder if he is to stay.

There’s a running theme here – while Kante is considered as one of the best in the world at winning the ball back, both him and Jorginho are of slight build and do not necessarily command a presence, whereas the 6’1″ Rice would add that to Chelsea.

While Lampard has tried out different systems recently, including three at the back at the end of last season and experimenting with 4-2-3-1 at times this season, as seen at Brighton in their first game of the season, his preferred formation seems to be the one he used a lot at Derby – 4-3-3.

Ben Chilwell will be expected to play left-back week in week out once fully fit – and Reece James so far seems to be the preferred option on the right.

If Chelsea sign Rice, who of course can also play centre-back himself, when the Blues go forward, Rice could drop between the two centre-backs as part of a three while Chilwell and James can then provide threat down the wings.

When out of possession, the fullbacks will then get back to their positions and Rice will move forward into his defensive midfield position and command a presence in the middle of the park.

Even if a team counters and Chelsea’s fullbacks are out of position up the pitch, having that three back, with the two centre-backs pressing and trying to win the ball back while Rice maintains position in the middle, means it would be very difficult for teams to get in behind the Blues. Even early crosses into the box could then be dealt with by Rice. It could be the answer to Chelsea’s defensive woes.

Jorginho has recently started in that position and wants to run the show from there. Kante provides a good engine and ability to win the ball back but does not have the aerial or physical presence Rice would bring. Kante seems more suited to a central midfield role under Lampard.

In a new era for the Blues with the talent they now have at their disposal, that defensive midfield role could change to see a player who’s more defensively minded play there instead of having a playmaker from deep.

And Rice could just well be the perfect fit for them.