Roy Keane believes Declan Rice still has a lot to prove before he earns the right to secure a move to a big six club like Manchester United.
The Reds have been linked with the England midfielder with Erik ten Hag set to search for midfield reinforcement this summer. However, Keane has been underwhelmed by Rice’s showings amid the Hammers’ stuttering form this season and gave an assessment that left fellow pundit Ian Wright in shock.
Speaking to ITV ahead of United’s FA Cup fifth round clash with West Ham on Wednesday, Keane said: “[Rice] has got to focus on West Ham between now and the end of the season. I don’t think he’s been great this season, I don’t think he’s really kicked on.
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“For all the talk about him, a lot of good PR coming out of West Ham about how much he’s worked, I think he needs to do a lot more. Doesn’t score enough goals, doesn’t get enough assists.”
Wright then reacted with an interjecting ‘wow’, to which Keane comically responded: “Do you disagree? That’s good, I hope you disagree because I think I know what I’m talking about. I played in midfield,” prompting a laugh from Wright.
Keane continued: “I think he [Rice] needs to do a lot more. Let’s see what he’s like now tonight. Listen, I’ve been a fan of him, he turns up every week, he’s fit, but I just want a bit more from him.
“There’s talk of him leaving for big money and going to one of the bigger clubs who are going to be competing for trophies and play in the Champions League. He needs to do a lot more, it’s as simple as that.
“I want to look at him closely tonight and say, 'listen, you’ve got to turn up'. Sometimes I see games at West Ham, not saying he’s playing badly but sometimes he’s just going through the motions, sideways, backwards, picking the easy option. He needs to do a lot more to match some of the top midfielders in the country.”
Giving his own thoughts on Rice, Wright then responded: “I think that’s a bit harsh. I thought he had a pretty good World Cup. I feel that the team he’s playing in, yes, they’re not playing great but I think when you look at what he’s doing from that six position, trying to get forward, no real striker’s scoring goals consistently.
“Him being a focal point, he’s going to get a lot of attention in that respect. But I do feel he’s ready to go to that next level because I think he is one of our best [English midfielders].”
Keane then said: “Sometimes I think it’s easier to play in a bad team - to me he doesn’t stand out in a bad team, which is a bit of a worry.”
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