Declan Rice determined to have 'game of my life' to inspire West Ham in Europa Conference League final
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 07/06/2023 at 12:38 GMT+1
West Ham have the chance to win a European trophy as they face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in Prague on Wednesday, June 7. Declan Rice will lead West Ham out and has spoken about his determination to lift the trophy and for the team to go down as club "legends". Rice has also reflected on his "really special” connection with the supporters.
Among greats - Moyes on his legacy if West Ham win a European trophy
Declan Rice is determined to have the “game of my life” to inspire West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
The Hammers are playing in their first European final for 47 years.
For club captain Rice it could be his final game for the club as there has been strong speculation that he could be on the move this summer.
He says this is the biggest club game of his career so far, with coverage starting at 6.30pm UK time on BT Sport, and will do everything to lift the trophy.
“When you get to a final, there’s only one thought: to win,” he told BT Sport.
“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.
"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 added: “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," he said.
“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. The connection we’ve got is really special.”
European success has helped lift a disappointing domestic season for West Ham which saw them finish 14th in the Premier League.
They now have the chance to secure a place in next year’s Europa League if they beat Fiorentina.
“It’s been tough in the Premier League, not really what we’ve wanted,” said Rice.
“In Europe, we’ve put together such a strong run. I think I’ve gone up a few more levels this year even if we’ve not done the best for the team. Personally, I’ve tried to push on and improve myself.
“Now, with one big one to go, to end off an amazing season, it was looking like a negative, but now, the season could turn into the best one in god knows how long. There’s a positive side to it.”
- - -
On June 10 and 11 strap yourself in for a live sport rollercoaster ride. With the finals of Roland-Garros, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Speedway Grand Prix, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the Criterium du Dauphine, MotoGP and the Champions League final, it’s the Weekend of Champions live on Eurosport, discovery+ and BT Sport.
Share this article