Ex-Manchester City striker Robbie Fowler has told West Ham captain Declan Rice that he “must sign” for the treble winners if he wants to win trophies.
Both the Citizens and Arsenal are expected to make bids for the 24-year-old very soon, and the Gunners are believed to be the favourites, having convinced the player that he will have a key role at the Emirates. However, Fowler claims that Rice should choose the Premier League champions to realise his ambitions:
“If Declan Rice wants to win trophies then he must sign for Manchester City. Apologies to any Arsenal fans who think that the West Ham midfielder can realise his full potential by moving across the capital. The reality is that the Gunners are a work in progress who punched above their weight last season – and still finished second to City.”
Fowler used the example of Jack Grealish as a way to demonstrate why players should join City:
“The one thing a player is guaranteed when they sign up for Pep Guardiola at the Etihad is a bag full of medals. Just ask the last midfielder who cost City £100 million. Since leaving Aston Villa two years ago, Jack Grealish has won the Champions League, two Premier League titles and the FA Cup. No wonder Jack felt like celebrating after City clinched the Treble!”
It was reported last week that City were preparing to make a formal offer for Rice but, so far, no official proposal has been lodged. There is a feeling that the Manchester club won’t step up their interest unless they get a clear signal from the player that he wants to join them. Whether they have received those reassurances yet, we still don’t know.
City will focus on strengthening their midfield
Confirmation that captain Ilkay Gundogan is joining Barcelona will likely focus minds in City’s recruitment team that a new midfielder needs to be brought in.
Mateo Kovacic is set to arrive from Chelsea but there is a feeling that more reinforcements will be required, with doubts over the future of Bernardo Silva too.
While, on the face of it, Fowler’s comments do make a great deal of sense, it remains to be seen whether Rice sees things the same way.
