[ad_1]
Chelsea found Declan Rice to be too versatile
According to The Athletic, there were three reasons why Chelsea let Declan Rice go when he was 14 years old.
The Englishman eventually moved to West Ham United, where he has made a name for himself. Now considered one of the best young talents in the country, he has come a long way from the heartache of leaving the Bridge.
In a curious twist of fate, Rice is now a key transfer target for Frank Lampard heading to the summer window. However, it won’t be cheap and it could be one of our costliest mistakes.
Strike one: a game of all trades
One of the main reasons Chelsea parted ways with Declan Rice was his inability to hold a starting position. Ironically, it was due to the versatility that saw him excel in multiple positions.
Able to play in both midfield and defense, Rice’s strength was seen as a weakness. And how it has come to bite us now.
Strike two: lack of judgment
A second reason for Rice’s departure was the arrival of defender Joseph Colley from the Swedish Brommapojkarna. A promising talent in his own right, Colley never reached the levels expected of him.
The 21-year-old was sold by Chelsea in 2019 and now plays for Chievo Verona in the Italian second division. If it was a coin flip which player we had to choose between, it’s fair to say the Blues made the wrong decision.
Strike three: not heed the advice of the experts
Today, Rice is a dominant player who uses his athleticism and physical prowess to good effect. However, that was not the case in 2014, when the club dismissed advice on his physique.
While the club’s medical staff gave a promising report on its expected development, the club chose to ignore the advice.
More Chelsea news
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and Chelsea clearly lacked it in Rice’s case. Our loss turned out to be West Ham’s gain, as they are now a key player for the Hammers.
Frank Lampard recently admitted that he has no regrets for letting Rice go. However, we beg to differ and wonder if that is really the case behind closed doors. (h / t Sky Sports)
