Opinion: If West Ham sell Declan Rice, they should bring in ‘extraordinary’ £60m talent as his replacement

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After yet more reports linking Declan Rice with a massive £100 million+ transfer away from West Ham, a move in the summer seems to be becoming more and more of a possibility.

West Ham have to plan for that eventuality if they want to consolidate the upsurge in the table the last 2 seasons have heralded. With that in mind, a move for £60 million rated Kalvin Phillips would make a lot of sense.

He can do everything Rice can

Former England manager Fabio Capello told the Daily Mail that “If England never concede a goal, they owe it to these two extraordinary guys” when questioned on Rice and Phillips just before their Euros quarter-final against Ukraine.

They were truly on an even footing in terms of importance for England at the Euros and if the Hammers have to sell Rice then Phillips may be one of the few equipped to come and do the same job.

Kalvin Phillips has been the engine at the heart of Leeds machine that has been churning non-stop for around 3 seasons.

In a team that play with an urgency unseen among most clubs in England bar possibly, Phillips has perfected a box-to-box role that seems him involved in almost every facet of play.

Phillips is known for his tenacious defensive play but it was his creative play that shone for England in a Euros campaign in which he and Declan RIce dominated the midfield for England.

He set up Raheem Sterling for England’s first goal of the tournament with a deft pass and continued to show his attacking prowess with a host of great lofted through-balls as England sought to make use of their speedy wingers throughout the tournament.

Though he was more of an attacking threat for England, for Leeds he picks up far more of the defensive slack.

In a side that tends to throw everything at the opposition when they attack, it is Phillips’ job in most games to plug the holes the attacking players leave.

A tough task but one that Phillips relishes. If he can do this for Leeds he can almost certainly do it for the defensively solid Hammers, while also bringing a more refined attacking thrust than Declan Rice possess.

Is Hammers move likely?

That really depends on interested parties. West Ham have named their astronomical price for Declan Rice and with his contract not set to end until 2024 (West Ham also have a year extension option allegedly), they are well and truly in the driver’s seat.

If it is met, however, It will become a different story.

West Ham already reportedly admire Phillips and considering the fact that Phillips knows Rice’s role inside and out from playing next to him for England, it would be a logical step for the Hammers.

West Ham legend Trevor Sinclair gave a vote of confidence in the Yorkshireman yesterday when he told TalkSport live that he thought Phillips was an ‘unbelieveable’ player. He also stated that he believed Phillips would be tempted by a move to the capital over that of a move to also interested Aston Villa.

“I feel West Ham are a slightly bigger club than Villa at the moment based on the 60,000 supporters they get and the recent performances in the league,” he said.

“I feel West Ham is a slightly bigger proposition than Aston Villa for Kalvin Phillips.”

How Leeds do come the end of the season could be another deciding factor. If they get relegated, a cut-price move could be on the cards for the Hammers, even if they keep Declan Rice for another year.

Whatever the reason for the move, If West Ham can get their hands on Kalvin Phillips they should, he would improve them tenfold.