Chelsea-linked West Ham United star Declan Rice has spoken about his ambition to win trophies in the coming years.
Rice was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer with Frank Lampard reportedly a big fan of the young midfielder.
But the England international stayed put and is currently playing a pivotal role for the Hammers in their bright start to the season, David Moyes' men sitting eighth after nine games.
Under contract until 2024, West Ham fans will be hoping Rice sticks around long-term and not just for this season after dodging Chelsea in the last transfer window.
But if the midfielder's trophy ambitions are anything to go by, that may not be the case, unless Moyes can transform the Hammers into a side capable of winning silverware.
"As a footballer you only get one career and it goes by very quick," Rice told Sky Sports.
"You want to be successful for club and country. I think it’s an important thing to win trophies. There’s talk of Harry Kane at Spurs and what he should be doing, obviously he can do whatever he wants.
"He’s going to win trophies we all know that. I think that’s something I want to aim for as well. I’m only 21 but to get those highs of your career you need to win stuff and that’s what I want to do."
Rice also spoke about his position and why midfield is very much his domain despite having the ability to fill in at centre-back. Something that could be good news for West Ham given some reports indicated Lampard wanted Rice as a defender for Chelsea.
"I’ve played midfield now for the last three seasons," added the 21-year-old. "I think people get carried away with kind of what they want me to do.
"My role is holding midfielder. There isn’t really any flair in that. I can slot in at centre-half but I think I’ve got much more to give and I think my confidence is growing in midfield. I think the more I start to drive forward with the ball like I’ve been doing in recent games.
"I’ve watched the top players like Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure, every time they see a bit of space they drive into it they look powerful, they look strong and I think as a holding midfielder that’s rare these days.
"If I can keep adding that into my game I can keep catching the eye."
Rice has been a stalwart again for the Hammers this season, playing every minute of every Premier League game so far this season.
But with each game he seems to become a more attractive prospect for potential buyers, including Chelsea, who were tipped to lose players in the holding midfield roles last summer, namely with N'Golo Kante and Jorginho linked with exits.
Both players ended up staying at Stamford Bridge, but no doubt speculation will return in the coming windows with Lampard still said to be keen on a move for Rice.
