Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Thomas Tuchel told by Chelsea icon to sign elite star currently world’s best

Thomas Tuchel with Chelsea FC badge-graphic

Chelsea are being tipped to revisit a deal to sign a once-top target after the player produced another stellar display this weekend and was branded the ‘world’s best’ in his position by John Terry.

Thomas Tuchel has Chelsea firing this season, with the Blues top of the table going into the latest international break. They do so, however, having suffered a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Burnley over the weekend. And with Manchester City winning at United earlier in the day, Chelsea’s lead has been cut to three points.

However, Tuchel and co can at least be thankful to West Ham, who claimed a 3-2 win over Liverpool to ensure the gap wasn’t reduced further. You can see our Player Ratings from the London Stadium here.

The Hammers were fully deserving of the win. That came courtesy of an Alisson own goal and further strikes from Pablo Fornals and former Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma.

However, it was the performance of Declan Rice in midfield which laid the platform for the win. The England man has raised his game another level this season and has been instrumental in the Hammers’ rise to third.

As such, it’s not surprise to see his name being linked with another big-money move. Rice has plenty of admirers around the Premier League, with Manchester United long-term suitors.

However, Chelsea too have also been credited with an interest. And with Tuchel reportedly a huge fan, it would come as no surprise to see the Blues reactivating their efforts to bring back their former academy man.

Manchester United make Rice their number one priority

Manchester United make Rice their number one priority

Manchester United's transfer round up including Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes and David de Gea.

Indeed, any such move would certainly win the approval of Chelsea legend Terry. Having set up a Twitter account recently, the former Blues skipper was quick to administer praise for Rice.

“Declan Rice is the best in his position in world football. What a player,” Terry stated.

Rice keen to drive West Ham forward

Any deal for Rice, however, is likely to cost his suitors close to a British record fee.

The midfielder himself also appears in no mood to consider leaving the Irons and is very much focused on helping West Ham climb higher.

“We are joint third,” said Rice recently. “The big question people asked before the season was whether we could do it again after qualifying for Europe. We’ve found out we can.

“But there are still a lot more games to go. This is the level, the standard. We can’t drop if we want to be a big team.

“I can definitely add [goals] to my game, I have four this season. It doesn’t get better with the feeling of scoring a goal.

“We won 4-1 but we were so sloppy in the second half. We gave the ball away so much. The manager won’t be happy. There were times we could have countered and gave it away.”

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