Chelsea could face competition for the signing of Declan Rice next summer after Liverpool were told that the West Ham captain is perfect for Jurgen Klopp's midfield.
Graham Potter is likely to be the third Blues manager to seriously push for Rice after Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel both picked the 23-year-old out as a keystone for future midfields at Stamford Bridge. Although no progress was made with a deal over the summer, Rice will enter the final 12-months of his contract in June 2023, and it could force a transfer through.
Rice has always seemed a logical pick for Chelsea due to his previous time at the club as a youngster, but his profile also fits in with the desired characteristics for Todd Boehly and Potter as well, with a midfield revamp being central to a squad overhaul in the coming windows.
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He isn't the only player Chelsea would like to bring to London though, with Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham also attracting a host of Europe's top clubs in an expected bidding frenzy following the 2022 winter World Cup.
Chelsea won't be the only club in line for both players though, and Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has urged the Reds to look at the same targets. "The Bellingham link is brilliant because he's a very good player," he told FairBettingSites.
"Another player who I really like is Declan Rice, he fits into a Liverpool mould. Whether Liverpool are looking at players to come in, they have to have a certain amount of pedigree, those players need to have lots of energy.
"And I do think Rice fits that bill, he's a player who sits in the middle of the park, but he can get around the pitch with his endeavour as well."
Both Chelsea and Liverpool made sceptical enquiries for Bellingham over the summer, but a move is much more likely next summer. He is expected to cost over £120m, whilst Rice has previously been quoted in a similar bracket. His refusal to sign a new contract with the Hammers has complicated proceedings for David Moyes though.
"Not to be disrespectful to West Ham, but Rice will be a name on the top of many top teams' lists whether that's in the summer or January," Fowler added.
"Rice has been class for a few years now, and you can see why clubs want him, but for me, he fits the mould of a Liverpool player."
Chelsea, with their lack of a defensive midfielder, may feel exactly the same and bringing in the youthful England pair could revitalise the centre of the pitch for years to come.
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