Declan Rice has been one of the most talked-about teenagers in football this year.
Rice’s international impasse continues to drag on, with reports that the defender is now leaning towards representing England rather than the Republic of Ireland.
The 19-year-old has repeatedly found himself the main point of conversation in press conferences involving Gareth Southgate and Martin O’Neill.
And now he is making headlines for discussions with West Ham as Rice has reportedly turned down the offer of an improved contract from the Hammers.
West Ham are said to have offered Rice, who currently earns £3,000-a-week, a deal worth £15,000-a-week which would also include several bonuses.
Rice has come in for criticism for rejecting the offer and while the issue will likely be resolved following more negotiations, Jamie Carragher has come to the defence of the youngster.
The Liverpool legend has claimed that there is unfair pressure on players who represent their hometown club to be willing to accept less money because supporters feel that the honour of representing their local team ought to be enough to keep them happy.
“I thought it was a bit out of order from some of the callers saying Rice was getting too big for his boots or he’s got to be careful about this or that,” Carragher said after calling into talkSPORT.
“But to be honest I look at him and it’s not just Declan Rice, it’s every young player who comes through at a Premier League club or any club always have to be seen to be grateful they’re playing and they can’t just ask for a bit more money.
“If there was a young foreign player signed from abroad there’d be no questions about what they deserve.
“I felt it when I was playing that because I was a local lad at Liverpool I had to be seen to be grateful.
“Local players coming through at their football clubs are definitely treated differently financially.
“This is a lad who could be West Ham’s main man over the next five or six years so I think it’s unfair he gets the criticism for not accepting the first offer he’s given.”
