Declan Rice has hinted he's got another 200 West Ham appearances in him as Joe Cole believes the midfielder will have a lot of suitors this summer.
At 24, Rice became the ninth youngest player to reach the Premier League milestone, during the 4-3 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, and youngest since Raheem Sterling back in 2018. The captain is also the team's sixth player in club history to reach 200 Premier League appearances.
Speaking ahead of the achievement, Rice said it's an honour to play 200 times for West Ham in the league and added 'here's to the next 200.'
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“It’s incredible, it’s absolutely amazing and down to all the people around me who have kept me level-headed and pushing me to do even better, so hopefully it’s 200 now and here’s to the next 200!” he told the club's website.
“In four years, things have happened so quickly. You hear a lot of ex-footballers say that ‘your career goes so quick, so enjoy every moment’ and for me it’s absolutely flown by to get to 200 appearances. Obviously I’m only 24 and have such a long way to go, but it feels like a real milestone to hit because some top players don’t even get to play 100 or 150 games [in the Premier League].
“It’s a real honour [to be captain of West Ham United], especially at this Club. If you look at the history of this Club and the captains they’ve had, to be able to do that this season, it’s fallen on my shoulders and I’m relishing it. I really love it and, like I said, it’s just an honour to wear the armband to this Club.”
Cole, who made 126 league appearances for the east London outfit before moving to Chelsea, hailed Rice's performances for West Ham and feels he can move anywhere in Europe.
"When we see him playing for England and he plays a role he really controls it from there and he breaks up play, that is what he does very very well but he’s added [goals] to his game," he told BT Sport.
"For me, it’s not a necessity it is a bonus. I said it on the night, this is Paul Gascoigne-like, at his pomp. But he’s got that in his locker and I just think there’s going to be so many suitors for him at the end of the season as clubs all around Europe will want Declan Rice in their team. West Ham have got a real real gem and credit to him for getting so fast to 200 games.’
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