West Ham have arguably some of the best players in the league right now, considering their top-six finish last season and current run of form seeing them just four points off topping the table.
Declan Rice has been one of the Hammers' outstanding achievers in the side, and has become a household name after his impressive performances saw the star midfielder play in the Three Lions' first international tournament final since 1966, with Teddy Sheringham comparing Rice's movement to a "Rolls Royce".
Playing in central midfield, Rice commands the ball with ease and leads his midfield with dominance, qualities that have helped West Ham achieve fantastic form and the opportunity to play European football this season.
West Ham teammates are in awe of the £63m-rated central midfielder's quality and talent, with West Ham midfielder, Jarrod Bowen, singing the player's praises recently in an interview;
“Dec’s gone on to another level,” Bowen told The Times, via the Standard. “The sky’s the limit for him. You saw it in the Euros, and you’ve seen it again this season, he’s starting to score more."
David Moyes has also spoken highly of the 22-year-old, after West Ham valuated Rice at £100m, the Scottish manager claimed that the price tag was a 'bargain', after Manchester United took interest in the Summer.
Moyes told Sky Sports: "There was a bargain to be got with Declan at £100million. That bargain has now gone."
With the young midfielder only developing further, showing attacking qualities and adding versatility to his game this season for West Ham with three goals and three assists in fifteen games so far from his central position, West Ham will have to pull something big out of the bag to keep hold of the rising star.
He has been linked with a whole host of clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea so it won't be easy to make him stay in east London.
There is one way that Moyes and West Ham could keep hold of their talented midfielder, however, and that is by qualifying for Champions League football.
Every player aspires to play at the highest level and if the east London club can guarantee a Champions League spot for the first time in their history, there is more reason for the defensive midfielder to stay and compete on the biggest continental stage with the club he has made a name for himself at.
West Ham will be hoping to continue their amazing push for European football as the Premier League returns this weekend.