Declan Rice was the best player on the pitch at St James’ Park on Saturday night, and he was chatting to two Newcastle United coaches after the game.
According to the Daily Mail, the 24-year-old was seen speaking to both Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones after the final whistle, as both sides shook hands and applauded the crowd.
But Rice seemed to be in particularly deep conversation with both Tindall and Jones, two members of Eddie Howe’s backroom staff.
The West Ham captain knows Jones well, having worked with him at Euro 2020 when the Toon coach was part of Gareth Southgate’s England setup.
However, it is interesting to see Jones and Tindall in such in-depth conversation with a player who has been tentatively linked with a move to St James’ Park.
Previously claimed Newcastle want to sign Declan Rice
The Guardian reported in December that the Magpies could enter the race to sign Rice during the summer of 2023 – if they qualify for the Champions League.
That is still a possibility, although our bid to finish in the top four took a blow this weekend. While we dropped points to the Hammers, both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur won.
But Newcastle are still in the race, and will be eyeing up a top class midfielder this summer regardless of whether or not they qualify for the Champions League.
Any move for Rice is not going to come cheap. David Moyes said after Saturday’s game that he will go for a British record fee, while the Evening Standard recently claimed that his price tag will be more than £100million.
And we saw exactly why on Saturday night.
Rice was immense against Newcastle
After the Magpies’ quick start, Rice’s class eventually took over. He was the best player on the pitch on Saturday night, dominating the midfield battle against a Newcastle side that did not include Bruno Guimaraes.
Joelinton was the only player who could match Rice physically, but the England international was simply outstanding. That is two years in a row that he has put on a show at St James’ Park. He was the best player on the pitch in the same fixture last season too.
Rice is the real deal, and the perfect player to fill the ‘number six’ role in Howe’s side. He could take us to the next level, and would allow Bruno to play higher up the pitch.
If Newcastle are looking for a statement signing then they don’t need to look much further than Rice. He is different class, and proved it once again on Saturday.
Hopefully Tindall and Jones had a word with him about moving to the North East. However, the main issue could be the incredible price he will command when he inevitably leaves the London Stadium this summer.