West Ham’s manager, David Moyes, has addressed Declan Rice’s recent comments with a confident assertion about the club’s prospects following Rice’s departure to Arsenal, writes the Hammer.News.
The relationship between West Ham and Arsenal has never been characterized by a significant rivalry, yet the departure of Declan Rice has introduced a distinct tension between the two clubs. Supporters have taken notice of Rice’s statements since his move from West Ham to Arsenal, expressing disappointment at his candid evaluations.
The midfielder notably provided a blunt assessment of his transition from Arsenal to West Ham upon joining the Emirates squad. He lauded the superior training and style of play under Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, asserting that it contrasted markedly with his experience under Moyes at West Ham. Rice conveyed that he now perceives football through an entirely new lens, effectively painting Moyes as somewhat outdated in his football philosophy.
While Moyes hasn’t directly addressed Rice’s remarks, he has collaborated with the new technical director, Tim Steidten, to ensure that West Ham makes optimal use of the funds accrued from Rice’s sale to Arsenal. The early inability to secure new signings following Rice’s departure became a subject of mockery, even from brands like Domino’s Pizza.
Nonetheless, West Ham supporters have been heartened by the club’s acquisitions of players like Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, who are viewed as replacements for Rice. The recruitment of former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos and the potential addition of Ajax star Mohammed Kudus are also being financed through the Rice funds.
In a recent set of interviews with The Daily Mail and Sky Sports, Moyes acknowledged Rice’s contributions to the team while emphasizing his belief in the club’s future prospects. Moyes stated, “Could be, I do think that (our midfield will be better)… Dec was a super player, and if we can get anywhere close to being that level with Declan then we’ll have done a good job in that recruitment department.”
In another interview with Vicky Gomershall for Sky Sports, Moyes reinforced his perspective: “I don’t think we feel weaker, I actually feel we’re stronger because of what’s happened but obviously now we need to (continue to) strengthen… We’ve brought in some really good players who I think will help us and add to what we’ve got.”
While acknowledging the absence of Rice, Moyes underscored the necessity of focusing on the next generation of players. He acknowledged Rice’s positive qualities as both a player and an individual, expressing a sense of gratitude for his contributions to the club.
As West Ham moves forward, Moyes remains optimistic about the team’s ability to perform well, even in the wake of Rice’s departure.