Mark Phillips worked with Declan Rice in the player development program at West Ham and said that he joked about returning to Oost -Londen after chasing Glory a stone's throw with Arsenal
Former Hooligan-Momous football coach, Mark Phillips, has revealed that Declan Rice made jokes about return to West Ham United after drawing for Arsenal.
The 26-year-old burst the scene with the Hammers in 2015 after he was released by Chelsea in his youth, before moving a big money to North London in the summer of 2023 for a club record compensation of £ 105 million. As a result of changing loyalty to his rivals in London, Rice occasionally received a Jer van West Ham fans through his exit.
Phillips – who discussed why that is on the consuming life podcast with Dodge Woodall, said Rice worked together in the player development program at West Ham -: “For me and you, West Ham … There is no larger club in the world. There is no larger club in the world and I really believe that.
“He left our club and went to another club, so it's just for a little bit of that. A bit of a resort, a little jealousy, a bit all the other. But I will defend him to the hill, and I would do, and his family. They are great people.
“I even went to one Arsenal game and was in his box, in a European game. And everything he wants to know when I see him is what happens at West Ham.” What happens? “It's all about [West Ham]You know. “
From revealing that Rice still has a bit of a weakness for the hammers, Phillips added that he joked that one day he could return to the club after his term of office with Arsenal ends. Phillips added: “West Ham is his club. He said to me … He actually said,” I come back when I … “I said,” We don't want you. “
After the few chuckled, Phillips was then asked if he believes that Rice will actually return to West Ham in his twilight years, to which he replied: “I can't say that with certainty. If everything is right and it is aligned, yes.
“I mean, he would get a stick for the first game, then he scores a 30-yarder and everyone forgets his stick, doesn't it?”
Rice has a contract with Arsenal that runs until 2028, after he signed a five -year -old deal when he became a member. It also has an option to extend for another 12 months, so that the midfielder of England would stay in North Londs until his 30s.
Since he arrived at the Emirates Stadium two years ago, Rice has impressed the steward of Mikel Arteta and 15 goals and 20 assists from a century of performances.
However, he will undergo his most difficult test so far when he is opposed to PSG in the second stage of the semi -final of the Champions League on Wednesday evening. After having had a loss of 1-0 on a home floor, Rice-Wiens last game for West Ham saw him brightened up a European trophy in the form of the Europa Conference League in Prague while they defeated Fiorentina 2-1 to help the tides to turn to the Parc des Princes and his Ticket Stempelt.
Phillips, with almost two decades of professional coaching under his belt, has been part of the PDP of West Ham for nine years. In the past, however, he was part of the infamous company Inter City and he regularly cheered the hammers on the terraces.
Speaking about his time with the ICF, he explained: “They love football and they love West Ham more than anything. They really do it. So it's like:” Oh, these people don't know what they are doing … “
“They love the game, they follow West Ham everywhere, follow England everywhere. They love football more than most people. It was their entire lives.
“The same thing with me, I just love the football game, and that's how I am involved.” He added: “Football has always been my most important love, and that is still today.”