Declan Rice stands alongside Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as one of West Ham‘s greatest ever players, claims Joe Cole.
Rice captained West Ham to Europa Conference League glory in Prague on Wednesday, beating Fiorentina to win the east London club their first European piece of silverware in 58 years.
Cole, a former West Ham player himself, is no in no doubt that Rice, who was vague when asked if it was his final game for the club amid interest from Arsenal and Man United, has solidified himself among the pantheon of greats.
‘Declan Rice is a special player, an absolutely special player, a special character’ Cole told BT Sport.
‘He stands on the shoulders now with Billy Bonds and Bobby Moore. I can say that.’
Declan Rice solidified legend status at West Ham with a trophy in Prague, claims Joe Cole
Rice has been compared to iconic former West Ham captain Bobby Moore (front, centre)
Billy Bonds (left, lifting the trophy) is another one of West Ham’s all-time great players
Pressed for what makes him so good, Cole added: ‘I know how good a player he is. I’ve watched him as a young kid when they kindly let me train with the youth team. I saw this young, spotty herbert in midfield running rings around me, and I was 36. I thought ‘It’s time for me to hang them up, Colely!’
‘I knew when I spoke to him. Forget the playing ability and what he can do on the pitch, his personality, I knew he would become a leader.
‘He’s been here for four, five years ago now and he’s written his name down in the history of this football club. Like I said, he stands next to the great Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds. Fair play to him, I’m so pleased for him.’
Moore won three trophies as a player at West Ham, lifting the FA Cup in 1963–64, the FA Charity Shield in 1964 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964–65.
For Bonds, he was a two-time FA Cup winner – 1974–75 and 1979–80 – as well as a Second Division champion in 1980–81, with West Ham.
When those iconic comparisons were put to Rice he looked at a loss for words.
He said: ‘To be even in that conversation is crazy.
‘I’ve given my heart playing for this club over the last six years. I’d give anything to help this club win. We’ve not had it easy.
‘We’ve been facing relegation. To win this now, to be in that category potentially. I don’t want to say too much. I’ll get too excited.’
Rice wore the captain’s armband in Prague as West Ham won the Europa Conference League
One thing Rice was less eager to discuss was his future – with talk intensifying that it could be his final game for the club.
‘At the moment there is a lot of speculation going on about my future,’ Rice conceded.
‘Obviously there is interest from other clubs, that’s out there, but ultimately I’ve still got two more years left at West Ham.
‘I love this club, I love playing for this club and there hasn’t been nothing yet so look, my focus is playing for West Ham, enjoying tonight and seeing what happens. I’m captain of this club, I absolutely love it to pieces and I cannot speak highly enough of the place. Let’s see what happens.
Asked if this was the perfect send-off if it does prove to be his final game for West Ham, Rice added: ‘Let’s wait and see, who knows?’
Mail Sport has previously reported that Rice will prioritise a move to remain in the Premier League this summer.
Arsenal are expected to make an opening offer in the region of £90m for Rice now West Ham have finished their season by winning the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
Rice is understood to be settled in London, which could give the Gunners an advantage over Man United, who are pursuing one of Rice’s closest friends, Mason Mount.
He was immediately quizzed if it was his last game for the club and he refused to be drawn on it
