Former Chelsea and West Ham midfielder Joe Cole has hailed Chelsea transfer target Declan Rice as a fantastic player.

Rice is reportedly keen on joining Chelsea but won’t push for a transfer as he doesn’t want to anger West Ham fans.

“It would be a big gamble to let him go because he is the most important player in that dressing room,” Cole said of Declan Rice’s potential return to Stamford Bridge, as quoted by Goal.

“We talk about what he is worth as an asset to the club financially but how much is it worth to stay in the Premier League? We have talked about the disconnect between the ownership group and the fans and I think it will be a step too far if they let him go.

“I don’t know what’s in the lad’s heart or head, what does he want to do, but he is a fantastic player, a fantastic lad and a big asset to this club. He is so important to this West Ham team.”

West Ham reportedly value Declan Rice at around £80million.