‘You only get one career’ - West Ham star Declan Rice addresses future amid Chelsea and Man Utd interest

Declan Rice’s days in the heart of West Ham’s midfield could be numbered, after he confirmed his determination to play Champions League football and compete with some of the best players in the world.

Rice is one of the first names on the England teamsheet and has been one of the most dependable players under Gareth Southgate. Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked to Rice in recent year,s even though West Ham have been able to hold on to him so far.

He is expected to start the World Cup quarter final game against Senegal, but has been speaking about his club future from the England training base in Al Wakra, Doha. The 23-year-old told reporters he was thinking about joining his Three Lions teammates in playing in the Champions League and taking his game to the next level.

The West Ham star said: “Yeah 100% for the last two, three years I have been playing consistently for club and country and I feel like I really want to keep pushing and like you said I see some of my friends playing in the Champions League and winning the big trophies.

“You only get one career and in your career you want to look back and see what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in and I’m really ambitious and I really want to do that.”

England have reached the semi-final of the World Cup and the final of the Euros under manager Gareth Southgate, and are favourites to beat Senegal before a potential tournament defining game against World Cup champions France. Didier Deschamps side will take on Poland at the round of sixteen and are also favourites to get the job done before potentially testing their mettle against the Three Lions after.