Declan Rice makes subtle dig at Chelsea following Champions League win

Declan Rice has helped Arsenal reach the Champions League final where they will play either PSG or Bayern Munich.

The Gunners overcame Atletico Madrid in the semi finals to win the tie 2-1 on aggregate thanks to a single goal from Bukayo Saka in the second leg at the Emirates on Tuesday.

Although he failed to get on the scoresheet in either tie, Rice played a huge part.

The midfielder was combative in the centre of the park in both legs and is now on course to lift his second European title after West Ham won the Conference League in 2023.

And discussing the Hammers, who the Gunners face on the weekend, Rice revisisted his time in East London, but not without taking a swipe at Chelsea.

Declan Rice says Chelsea let him down

Rice was part of Chelsea’s youth academy between 2006 and 2013 but was released to West Ham after failing to convince the club he had what it takes to develop into a first team player.

That decision turned out to be a poor one. The Blues’ midjudgement allowed the Hammers to profit, competitively and financially.

The 27-year-old, who spoke to Prime Video after Arsenal’s semi final victory, thanks West Ham for their belief in him — the same belief he feels Chelsea didn’t show him.

“That club gave me everything, without West Ham there’s no me.

I honestly believe that. They gave me a chance when Chelsea didn’t. A lot of people there really pushed me on so it’s not nice to see the position they’re in.

But it’s football and I’ve got a job to do on Sunday. We’re trying to win a Premier League title, we want to win every game and I’m sure they will want to as well so let the best team win.”

Chelsea will already being ruing their missed opportunity. They won’t want reminding.

Rice just another example of poor judgment

Although the Blues will deeply regret that they allowed Rice to slip through the net, he isn’t the only one.

Chelsea have one of the worst records when it comes to letting players leave who then go on to thrive elsewhere — Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City and Mo Salah at Liverpool immediately spring to mind.

Unfortunately, despite a change in ownership since Rice’s departure, little has changed in terms of poor decision making. Last summer’s new additions, with the exception of Joao Pedro, have all been disappointments.

The time has come now where European football seems a distant memory and even the best players are looking for ways out.