England boss Gareth Southgate has sent more disrespect West Ham’s way this time regarding Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
I think it is fair to say there’s no particular love lost when it comes to how West Ham fans feel about Gareth Southgate.
Hammers supporters don’t need much of an excuse to pile on the England manager.
And it’s understandable. He has consistently snubbed West Ham’s top performing players down the years.
James Ward-Prowse was a regular in the Three Lions squad. But despite joining West Ham, playing in Europe and making a brilliant start to life in east London, he has been cast aside by Southgate.
That decision had left him open to ridicule from fans, pundits and journalists alike.
Southgate further angers West Ham fans
Southgate has further angered West Ham fans by continually overlooking star man Jarrod Bowen in recent seasons.
And even when he does get in the squad Southgate elects not to give him a proper chance. The friendly defeat to Brazil being the latest case in point.
Then there’s Kalvin Phillips. The midfielder was picked for every squad by Southgate despite barely kicking a ball for 18 months at Man City.
The moment Phillips moved to West Ham, where he was actually playing – albeit not very well – Southgate dropped him too.
Well now there’s more West Ham disrespect from Southgate after comments about Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
England boss lazily perpetuates Rice myth
Hammers fans have had to listen to plenty of rubbish about Rice since he joined Arsenal.
Some pundits, journalists and Gunners fans have claimed Rice has massively improved since leaving West Ham.
Even Mikel Arteta and Rice himself have denied that is the case. Both have stated Rice is the same player he has always been but simply in a better side.
Yes Rice has been playing higher up the pitch for the Gunners in the second half of his debut season.
But that’s what he was doing for the Hammers in the season or so before he left. Just ask Tomas Soucek.
Now Southgate has jumped on the bandwagon.
After England’s defeat to Brazil, Southgate raved about Rice and said he has taken his game to the next level since leaving West Ham.
The ex Hammer was one of England’s better performers.
Hammers star Paqueta made Southgate look silly
But Hammers talisman Lucas Paqueta – alongside close friend Bruno Guimaraes – dominated the midfield against his old teammate and the hapless Conor Gallagher while they were on the pitch at Wembley to make Southgate look silly.
“I thought Declan was outstanding throughout the game,” Southgate said post match.
“With and without the ball he showed the next step he’s gone to.
“He’s a crucial player for us anyway but he looked totally at home in that environment.”
This is how Rice has been playing for West Ham and England for years prior to joining Arsenal.
It’s simply not true that his game has developed that significantly since leaving West Ham.
And it’s a lazy throwaway comment from the England manager which, in my opinion, only serves to highlight his clear bias.