“I’m captain of this club and i love it to pieces,, there hasn’t been anything” – Declan Rice gives skeptical answer that raises renewed hope of staying at West Ham after UECL trophy win

Declan Rice responded last night when asked if he could now stay at West Ham after our Europa Conference League win.

West Ham won our first major trophy since 1980 after club captain Declan Rice lifted the Europa Conference League trophy out in Prague last night.

Rice, 24, has been heavily linked with an exit from the London Stadium this summer, with Arsenal thought to be leading the race for his signature.

The Hammers fans have all accepted that last night was Dec’s final game in a West Ham shirt. David Moyes surely has as well.

Is there actually a chance that Rice could stay on at the club for at least one more year though?

Declan Rice asked if he could stay at West Ham now after Europa Conference League win
The Hammers captain was interviewed by BT Sport’s host Jules Breach and pundits Joe Cole and Carlton Cole after the game last night.

And Rice responded when asked by Breach if he could stay on at West Ham, as the Hammers fans were singing the ’10 more years Declan Rice’ chant (BT SPORT Wednesday June 7th, 10:35pm):

“At the moment there’s a lot of speculation going on about my future. There is interest out there from other clubs but ultimately I’ve still got two years left at West Ham, I love this club, there hasn’t been anything yet. My focus is playing for West Ham, enjoying tonight and seeing what happens. I’m captain of this club, I love it to pieces and cannot speak highly enough of this place. Let’s see what happens. Who knows.”

Dec really is incredibly mature for someone so young, and he handled what could have been a really awkward question with tremendous composure and class.

Listen, I would obviously love him to stay at the London Stadium for at least one more year, and with Europa League football now on offer at the club, who knows what might happen.

However, I firmly believe that last night was the midfielder’s final game for the Hammers. And if that turns out to be the case, what a way for him to go out.

Declan Rice left the door open to potentially staying at West Ham after last night’s Europa Conference League win, and his comments will have the fans dreaming of one last dance.

I just can’t see it happening though, and if he does bow out this summer, he’ll go with the blessing of every single West Ham fan.