Declan Ricek makes a pledge to inspire West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
Today’s match could be Rice final game for the club as there has been strong transfer rumours linking him away from West Ham this summer as Arsenal are among the top target.
Rice told BT Sport:
“When you get to a final, there’s only one thought: to win.”
“It’s the last game of the season; we haven’t got any more games to go.
It’s a chance to go out there and empty the tank, giving it everything…
we’re willing to do anything to win a trophy. The lads are all in a good place physically and mentally.
“I’m chilled out, not thinking about it too much. It’s just a game of football, and I play to how I can play. We shouldn’t have any worries.
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“It’s down to us, down to me, pushing myself to have the game of my life, to put us in history. No-one else can do anything except me and the team.”
Rice has been at West Ham since the age of 14 and was first made club captain at 19.
Asked whether he will say anything to the team ahead of the match.
Rice continues:
“I think I’ll probably say a few things, you may only have one opportunity to become a legend at West Ham and create history.
So I think it will be about knowing what type of game it is and what we can create as a team.
“Being a captain comes naturally. I try not to think about it too much.
Last year I was the on-pitch captain, but had Nobes [Mark Noble] who’d done all the stuff behind the scenes.
This year it’s only really changed in that way.
“I’ve been myself; embraced stuff that’s come my way. I’ve not put too much pressure on myself being a captain.
I’ve just tried to let it be as easy as possible and when I’ve had to deal with things off the pitch, I’ve done that as best I can, with the help of a few team-mates.
“Being captain of a big club like West Ham at 24 is tough. With what I’m like as a person, I’m super laid-back and let it unfold.”
If the Europa Conference League final is Rice’s last game for the club it will be an emotional farewell.
He says he has a “really special” connection with supporters.
“They see me as one of their own. Since me and Ben Johnson, there hasn’t another player coming through the academy since the likes of Rio [Ferdinand], Joe [Cole], Jermaine [Defoe], who’ve gone on to play so many games for West Ham.”
“I feel like the West Ham fans really love me for that, and how I am as a person really suits the fans in a way where I can connect with them, interact with them on social media, spend time with them.
West Ham are playing in their first European final for 47 years.
