Declan Rice has opened up on the disappointment of being released by Chelsea at the age of 14 prior to getting his break with West Ham Utd.
The 21-year-old joined the Hammers in 2014 and has since gone on to make over 100 appearances for the senior side as he has shown his quality.
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However, he had to show character and belief in his own ability at a young age, as he reveals in the video below how he had to overcome the ‘massive disappointment’ of being released by Chelsea as a youngster.
Rice arguably still looks and sounds quite disappointed by that decision, and the Metro reported earlier this month how he conceded that he would love to play alongside long-time friend Mason Mount at club level again.
A return to Chelsea looks incredibly unlikely at this stage having established himself as a key figure at rivals West Ham, but credit to Rice for still managing to kick on and realise his dream and potential after suffering what would have been a devastating setback at that age.
"I had to get over the disappointment of being released by Chelsea at 14"@_DeclanRice joins @fennerstweets and @jimmybullard as @SoccerAM returns this morning!
? Watch Soccer AM on Sky Sports PL from 10am pic.twitter.com/MnlNKOb1x0
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2020