Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Declan Rice, with West Ham assistant Alan Irvine insisting the midfielder will “absolutely” be staying at the club this season.
Frank Lampard is a huge admirer of Rice, 21, and wants to lure him to Stamford Bridge before next week’s transfer deadline. Yet when asked if he expects the England youngster to stay at West Ham, Irvine told reporters: “Oh absolutely.
Declan is extremely happy at the club.”The Blues therefore look set to miss out on Rice this summer - so who else can Lampard rely on in the holding midfield position this season?At the back end of last season, Lampard enjoyed success by deploying Kante as the anchor of a three-man midfield, with Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount.
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