KEY POINTS

  • Chelsea is being linked to another transfer move for past target Declan Rice
  • Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has taken a step forward in pursuing Rice, a report said
  • Former Blues boss Frank Lampard revealed the truth about the England star's failed transfer

New Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel may revive the failed Frank Lampard transfer pursuit of England’s future superstar, a report says.

It has become apparent that along with Lampard’s sacking, Chelsea’s hopes of signing West Ham United’s Declan Rice also vanished. However, current Blues boss Tuchel could launch another move for the highly-rated defender, The Telegraph reported.

Like Lampard, Tuchel has quickly become a huge fan of Rice and has now rekindled Chelsea’s interest in the Hammers’ center-back, the report said.

Due to Tuchel’s deep admiration of Rice’s game, the German coach has already proposed a transfer request to Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia, the report added.

It can be recalled that last summer, Chelsea was reportedly determined to land Rice, but the club refused to meet West Ham’s £70 million ($99 million) price tag.

Thomas Tuchel manager of Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel manager of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on April 10, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. Getty Images/Marc Atkins

Recently lifting the lid on his botched Rice transfer saga, Lampard opened up about how it was really hard for the Blues to acquire the player, of whom he is a “huge fan.”

“Now you see him [Rice] in the England squad and quickly you don’t see an England team without Declan in it,” Lampard said in a Q&A for the Willow Foundation. “We are fortunate to have him in England, West Ham are fortunate to have him. He’s a leader and it is clear that he’s destined for great things. I have probably given it away with how I spoke about him. I think it’s common knowledge that I was a big fan of his.”

“It didn’t happen for various reasons, but we brought in a lot of players in [that] summer,” he explained. “But I was a big fan of him [Rice]. For understandable reasons, West Ham know the player that they have on their hands. I don’t want Declan to be in an uncomfortable position through this because all I see from him is absolute performance and desire to play for West Ham.”

Ultimately, Lampard implied that West Ham may have proposed a persuasive platform and Rice did what he thought was best for him at the time.

“They [West Ham] gave him the chance there and the choice will be Declan’s as the years go ahead, but his performances are great to watch.”

Lampard is still being linked to a coaching job offer from Crystal Palace. An earlier report stated that the three-time Premier League champion, when finally “appointed,” will pursue Slavia Prague striker Abdallah Sima as his first signing.

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