🚨Offloaded by Lopetegui: West Ham star who was seen has the next Declan Rice have already been axed

Over the years, West Ham United has been home to a number of midfield talents who have helped the club in various ways during their spells at the club.

   The most iconic in the club’s recent history would be Mark Noble, and the now-retired 37-year-old made 521 appearances for the Hammers in 16 years as a player.

   Noble is now the club’s sporting director after announcing his retirement at the end of the 2021/22 Premier League season – and has become one of the club’s most popular players during his time in east London.

   Following his retirement, the club launched their recruitment drive to try and take the Hammers to the next level, with Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez just two of Europe’s elite players playing at the London Stadium.

   But the club is no longer in the hands of a player who played in the first team under former boss David Moyes and brought the club a huge profit following his departure.

   Declan Rice’s time at West Ham

   Midfielder Declan Rice came through the club’s academy after joining as a youngster following his release from Chelsea – and went on to make more than 200 appearances for West Ham’s first team.

   After making his debut as early as the 2016/17 season, he quickly became a regular member of the team and cemented himself as a mainstay in the following season.

   The 25-year-old made more than 30 appearances each season between 2017 and 2023, winning the hearts of fans – and even helping them end their long wait for a major European title after winning the Europa League Conference Cup with victory over Fiorentina in 2023.

   It was almost a complete exit for the England international before he left to join Arsenal in a record transfer for an England player, worth a total of £105 million.

   While it was a massive fee that greatly improved the club’s finances, it would leave a huge hole in the middle of Moyes’ midfield, with new additions having to try and fill the void left by the talented ace.

   The Hammers have made moves in the transfer market, investing in two different talents to try and combat Rice’s departure – but one of them has unfortunately already fallen victim to the appointment of Julen Lopetegui this summer.

   The man was brought in to replace Rice

   The aforementioned Alvarez was brought in for £35m from Ajax, while the club also splashed £30m on Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, both players possessing different qualities to soften the blow of Rice’s departure.

   An article from The Athletic claims that the Mexican was seen as a deep-lying ball-winning option, while the Englishman was brought in as a box-to-box option – both separate traits that the late Rice possessed during his time at London  stadium.

   While Alvarez remains a key part of Lopetegui’s system, the Spaniard has already displaced Ward-Prowse, who has joined fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.

   It was a decision that surprised many, especially given his record last season, which saw the 29-year-old record seven goals and 11 assists in all competitions under Moyes – with his consistent goalscoring streak wreaking havoc on opponents.

   He has already settled into life during his temporary stay in the East Midlands when he featured in the club’s 1-0 win against Liverpool last weekend – putting in a wonderful display in midfield in the win.