Declan Rice has been in the news over a reported move away from West Ham.
The England international claims that he was teased on social media by his team-mate over transfer rumors linking him with a big move away from West Ham.
The West Ham midfielder has been one of the revelations of the season helping David Moyes’s side reach the semi-finals of Europa League.
West Ham is believed to have slapped a whopping £100 million ($126m)-plus on the England international according to reports.
Chelsea and Manchester United are reported to be chasing the signature of the 23 years old midfielder.
Rice has two years left on his contract with the hammers , with West Ham having the options of a one-year extension.
What did Rice say?
He told Skysports that”I feel like playing well comes with speculation.’’
“I’ve had two or three top seasons with West Ham and the top clubs around the country are always going to be watching. It’s not just me, it’s the same for every player.
“I think it’s important not to get too carried away with that. We’ve had a good season with West Ham and there have been big games I’ve had to play in so I feel like my focus has always been on that. If I thought about other things, I’d get carried away and that wouldn’t be fair on the team or the manager.
“I can’t help speculation, even with the numbers that get talked about. I get battered for it all the time on social media, but I can’t help that. I can help by going on the pitch and performing as best as I can.
“They [West Ham team-mates] wind me up all the time. It’s crazy to speak about to be honest, so I just kind of block it out and do what I do best and that’s play football.”
Declan Rice lost the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year award to Mohamed Salah.
The England international came third behind Kelvin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah but the Midfielder takes confidence from the recognition.
“It’s not bad,” Rice says. “I would like to have won it, but obviously up against Salah and De Bruyne it’s hard to say, because I can never imagine putting my name with those types of players.
“To come third, it shows that people have appreciated what I’ve done on the football pitch. This season, I feel like I’ve taken another step in the right direction in my career, but I’m still only 23 and trust me, I know myself and I’ve got so much more that I can let out of the bag.
“I know that, my coaches tell me that and I think it just comes with time and as I get older, it’ll keep coming and coming. I feel like you’re only seeing the start of me. I’m going to keep pushing and getting better.”
Delan Rice has scored 5 goals and provide 5 assists in 45 appearances for West Ham this season in all competition.