Avoid Man Utd, Chelsea – Ferdinand advises Declan Rice on club to join

Former West Ham star, Anton Ferdinand, has advised captain Declan Rice to avoid joining Manchester United or Chelsea this summer.

Ferdinand instead wants Rice to join Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

Rice is set to leave West Ham this summer as the Hammers look to cash in on the midfielder before his contract expires next year.

The England international has been linked with the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

“I think for him [Rice] and us as a club, it is time [to part ways]. He is given everything he can to the football club,” Ferdinand said on the FIVE podcast.

“If we do win the [Europa] Conference League (ECL), that is a perfect sign-off. But even if we don’t, for what he’s done for the club, he deserves to go to pastures new now, to go and try and win the Premier League, which he deserves with that talent.

“I have got to say one thing though: You can’t go to Chelsea! That is the only shirt that I don’t want to see you in! None of us West Ham fans want to see him in that blue Chelsea shirt.”

He added: “If Partey is not there, you can play him as a No.6, with Granit Xhaka at No.8. But if Partey’s about, you play Declan as the 8. Declan can drive with the ball, he can pass, and he’s got goals in him. He really is top.

“The reason why I don’t see him at [Manchester] United is that they are still in transition. It’s no guarantee he’ll go there and they’ll start winning. At Arsenal he will have a better chance. He will get them closer to [Manchester] City.”