West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has admitted being released by Chelsea as a 14-year-old was the best thing that could have happened to him.
Rice - who was been heavily linked with a big-money return to the Blues in the summer transfer window - was released by the west London-based club when he was a teenager.
The England international has previously admitted that he was left crying his eyes out following the release from the Chelsea academy.
Back in 2014, Rice was deemed not good enough by the Blues' academy officials, before having a trial at West Ham - where he caught the eye.
The now-21-year-old progressed through the Hammers' youth ranks before making his first-team debut at the end of the 2016/17 campaign.
Chelsea may be ruing their decision to let Rice leave the club, as six years on, reports now suggest they want to re-sign the versatile Englishman - and West Ham are said to want £80m for his services.
Looking back on his release from Stamford Bridge, Rice believes it turned out to be the making of him as a man.
Asked by Sky Sports if Chelsea letting him go when he was 14 was the best thing that could have happened, Rice said: "I think so. I think that’s the making of me to be honest with you.
"I had to move to West Ham at 14, away from my family. I’m a family boy, love my mum and dad, live at home with them, and to leave them at 14 to play with people I don’t know from Monday to Friday, I think that shaped me into the person I am.
"I had to start being responsible for myself, but look, I’ve come here and flourished. I’ve had three managers that have really looked after me, I’m loving life here."
Rice has previously played in the centre of defence for the Irons, as well as in midfield.
However, the latter of the two is what he's become accustomed to over his time at the London Stadium - and it's also the position he'd like to continue playing, he has confirmed.
“100% - I’ve played midfield now for the last three seasons," Rice revealed when asked if the centre of midfield will be his future position.
"A lot of people get carried away with what they want me to do. I can slot in at centre-half, but I think I’ve got a lot more to give and I think my confidence is growing in midfield.
"I’ve watched the top players, the (Patrick) Vieiras, the Yaya Toures, every time they see a bit of space, they’d run into it and look powerful.”
