Danny Murphy hails Declan Rice as “signing of the season” & urges West Ham fans to applaud him. Rice vs. Phillips today? Murphy offers advice to struggling ex-City star
Danny Murphy, writing in The Mail on Sunday, has showered praise on Arsenal‘s Declan Rice, labelling him the “signing of the season” and urging West Ham fans to give him a standing ovation on his return today.
Murphy writes: “Declan Rice has made Arsenal even better, which is why he has been my signing of the season.”
He acknowledges the step up Rice took, leaving West Ham’s top-six aspirations for Champions League and title challenges with Arsenal: “He has gone from West Ham with top-six ambitions to a club competing in the Champions League and for Premier League titles. That’s a very different kind of pressure but Rice has been fearless in coping both with the added scrutiny and a £100million price tag.”
Murphy: “Adapting to a possession-dominant style”
Murphy explains: “He has adapted his game. He was able to focus on his defensive work at West Ham whereas Arsenal dominate possession so he needs to show ability on the ball and make productive passes. He has done all of that and popped up with the occasional important goal, too. The ease with which he has made the transition has surprised even me, despite having no doubts about his mentality.”
He also names Rice as Arsenal‘s best player: “Rice has been Arsenal‘s best player, which is hugely impressive given the quality that Mikel Arteta already possessed in the Gunners dressing room.”
Murphy: “Rice deserves standing ovation, not boos”
Sunday’s clash at the London Stadium brings mixed emotions for Murphy: “The 25-year-old returns today to London Stadium, where he was booed by a section of West Ham fans in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
“It saddened rather than surprised me. There is a minority who judge him solely on joining another London club rather than the years of service he gave West Ham, including lifting a European trophy. If anyone deserves a standing ovation going to his former club, it’s Declan Rice and you will hear appreciation towards him from many West Ham fans.”
Murphy: “Phillips needs manager’s support”
Murphy also delves into the struggles of Rice’s potential England teammate, Kalvin Phillips, at West Ham.
He urges David Moyes to trust Phillips despite recent errors: “This is a time a new signing needs the manager to keep faith. If David Moyes puts Phillips on the bench today, it will only give him a higher mountain to climb.”