Declan Rice has revealed Chelsea icon John Terry was his childhood hero when growing up as he opened up on his relationship with the former England defender.
Terry represented the Blues for almost 20 years between 1998 and 2017, helping the west London club in winning 15 major honours during his 19-year career at Stamford Bridge.
The now 41-year-old goes down as a Chelsea legend and recently returned to the club in a coaching consultancy role with the academy.
Many Chelsea supporters will have idolised Terry when they were growing up, and that includes West Ham United midfielder Rice, who continues to be linked with a return to the Blues.
Speaking to Gary Neville on the former defender's 'Overlap Xtra' video on YouTube, Rice was asked who he looked up to when trying to break through the academy at Chelsea as a young player - and his answer will have delighted Blues supporters.
He replied: "John Terry. I speak to him a lot, all of the time, really. For me, growing up, being a Chelsea fan, being a season ticket holder there, going to all of the games, coming through the academy.
"It was always him - JT. The kits, 'JT 26' on the back. Even when I was younger, I said if I make it, I want to be number 26. Although I feel that I've got older now and grown out of that, otherwise it would look a bit creepy.
"But 100 per cent, JT, he was amazing for me.
"When I got released, he picked up the phone and, he didn't have to, I was only 14 at the time and speaking to my idol. So, yeah, we've got a good relationship."
Rice to Chelsea rumours
football.london understands that Chelsea are long-term admirers of Rice, who was released as a teenager at Cobham.
However, the 23-year-old could cost more than £100million, with the Hammers determined not to offload their star midfielder. West Ham boss David Moyes, when speaking in October 2021, sent a stern message to Rice's potential suitors regarding his price.
Moyes said: "There was a bargain to be got with Declan at £100million. That bargain has now gone.
"We have a lot of really good players at this football club and I think while you're building and developing I think people might always come and look at your players.
"But it is good that they are because that is telling us that they're doing well."
