West Ham’s record since selling Declan Rice to Arsenal in the summer shows it was a deal with no losers.
England midfielder Declan Rice swapped the claret and blue of West Ham for the red and white of Arsenal this season, but it appears everyone involved has benefitted from the transfer.
Since arriving at Arsenal, Rice has slotted immediately into midfield and helped Mikel Arteta’s men mount another serious title challenge. The Gunners sit second in the Premier League table, two points below Liverpool, with a game in hand.
They have also breezed through to the UEFA Champions League knockouts after topping Group B.
Another huge performance from Declan Rice.
Incredible Signing!#COYG | #AFC | #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/LcTLKzty0j
— ARSENAL REPORTS. (@arsenalrepo01) December 23, 2023
West Ham meanwhile are up to seventh in the league thanks to a 2-0 home win over Manchester United, and could climb above the Red Devils into sixth if they win their own game in hand.
David Moyes’ Irons are also doing well in Europe, and topped Group A in the Europa League to reach the knockout stages.
For both sides then, it seems that Declan Rice’s £100 million move across London was the right call, with everyone happy.
West Ham’s Record With And Without Declan Rice
West Ham have actually performed better since Rice left the club. Last season, Rice played 50 times for the Irons in all competitions – including all but one Premier League game.
He was absent for the 3-0 loss at Manchester City in May, but had otherwise featured in every league match.
Of those 50 games, West Ham won 22, drew eight and lost on 30 occasions. That gives a win rate of 44%, losing more often than they won during Rice’s final campaign.
However, West Ham’s record over this season and last without Rice is significantly better. They have played 34 time without Declan Rice since the start of 2022/23, winning 21 games.
With just three draws and ten losses, David Moyes’ side have a win rate of 62% in all competitions without Declan Rice.
That’s by no means to say that Rice was having a negative effect when he played. The former captain was much-loved at the club and many fans were gutted to see him leave.
But while he was a loss, the huge sum of money recouped from his exit has been reinvested into the side this season, with some fantastic signings that have reinvigorated the whole squad.
How Have West Ham Spent The Declan Rice Money?
With West Ham collecting around £100 million from Arsenal for Declan Rice this summer, they had plenty of cash to play with in the transfer market.
Ghanaian striker Mohammed Kudus arrived from Ajax for £37 million, and has already scored six goals in just nine Premier League games.
He replaced the outgoing Gianluca Scamacca, who never lived up to his price tag at the club. Kudus on the other hand could prove to be one of the best signings in the Premier League in recent years.
Another smart move was West Ham’s £30 million acquisition of former Southampton captain, James Ward-Prowse. The dead-ball specialist is one away from equalling David Beckham’s record 18 direct free kick’s in the Premier League – though he is yet to score one for West Ham.
We are delighted to announce the signing of England international James Ward-Prowse 🏴
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 14, 2023
But what Ward-Prowse brings to a team is so much more than just set pieces. A tireless worker in midfield, he gives absolutely everything in both attack and defence, and has been superb since his arrival as one of Rice’s midfield replacements.
And the other defensive midfielder brought in to fill the gap left by Declan Rice has been just as important. Edson Alvarez followed Ajax teammate Kudus in leaving the Eredivisie for West Ham in the summer, for a fee of around £33 million.
Alvarez has been excellent playing in front of the back four and the Mexican has allowed Ward-Prowse to play further forward than he had done in recent years.
The duo have excelled this season, as has Kudus, showing David Moyes has reinvested the Declan Rice money superbly.
Both Arsenal and West Ham have come out of the Declan Rice transfer in a better position, showing sometimes everyone can be a winner when players leave for massive fees.
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