Glen Johnson on Rice to Chelsea: “He’s either going to your rivals or he’s coming to you”

“I’d probably say Jorginho. I think that’s a bit harsh because I’m a big fan of Jorginho but I think if Rice came in with fresh legs and can motor around the park then Jorginho would probably be the one that’s sacrificed. Hopefully Jorginho doesn’t leave because he’s a great player, but he’s probably the one that I think would drop out of the eleven if it was to happen.”

“Yeah, if they don't then someone else will. It’s one of those situations - he’s either going to your rivals or he’s coming to you. It looks unlikely that he’ll stay at West Ham but it’ll work out for both because if he stays then West Ham keep a world-class player, and if he goes they’ll get a fortune for him. 

“He’s a class act, on and off the pitch. He’s still a young guy, still learning his trade, but I think the way he handles himself is not fake, it’s authentic. He’s clearly a lovely guy. I think the more characters we have like that knocking around for England, the better.”

“I’d be happy if West Ham signed both of them and kept hold of the other two. They need a deeper squad and if a move for Kalvin Phillips was to come off then that would be a great addition. He could play alongside Declan Rice no problem.”

“It doesn’t look like a move to West Ham is going to happen. Since he went back to Manchester United, it never looked like a move was going to happen. The player never said he wanted to go, his club didn’t say they wanted him to go. If the player really wanted to go then it would have happened by now. I don’t think it’s going to happen. His contract is expiring and Newcastle are sitting poised, waiting to offer him something, so I can’t see him ending up at West Ham now.”

“I quite like the decision he’s made to stay and work with Derby because that Everton job will have been tempting but as you’ve seen in the past you can take a big job too early. It would have been tempting to manage in the Premier League but you’ve got to earn your stripes and learn the hard way shall we say, so I think the more years he can get under his belt somewhere could be more beneficial in the long run. I can see him being a manager for a very long time.

“As a young manager there’s no such thing as a bad experience. Of course, no one wants to get relegated but as long as you learn from those moments, you move forward and keep improving. All experience is a good experience.”

“He’s not a baby anymore and he’s not classed as young nowadays. If he plays week in, week out whilst he’s on loan and gains some confidence then you never know whether he will be a part of Jürgen Klopp’s future plans. Even though I said he wasn’t young, he’s still young enough to win a big club over. If he can be in good form at Bournemouth and stay fit then you don’t know what could happen.”

“I think yes, a loan move to a Premier League club have benefited the young star, with regular football at a high level, but the timing was always against him, in the sense that at Chelsea, Ben Chilwell’s injured and I don’t think the club would have allowed him to do it. But if they did let him go on loan then, of course, as long as he performs, it’s only going to help Chelsea.”

“It’s always hard for a player to leave Real Madrid, particularly if you’re playing every week. It’s obviously a massive, iconic club. So I think if Éder Militão is playing and he continues to do well then I think it’d be hard for Chelsea to prise him away. I do however think it’s a player that would help Chelsea out.

“I do think defensive reinforcements are a priority for Chelsea in the summer, even more so if they don’t sort out the two situations with Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen. They either need to sign them both up to new deals, or at least secure one of them and bring in somebody else. Something needs to happen. You can’t have two players walk out and your best defender being a 37-year-old.”

“I wouldn’t be totally shocked if Tuchel or Chelsea eventually went on to re-sign Tammy Abraham. He’s doing well away at Roma and I know that Chelsea has a place in his heart. He’s of course English as well. But I think as long as he’s performing at the right level - and keeps on performing - and Chelsea have proven in the past they’re not too embarrassed to buy back a player that they’ve previously let go, I could see that happening.”

“In my opinion, you may as well wait. Overall I think Armando Broja and Chelsea could work but I wouldn’t do it too soon. He’s only 20 years old. He’s obviously still got a lot to learn but he’s playing in the Premier League and hopefully he can turn into a goal-scoring centre forward - and as we know they cost a lot of money and they’re hard to find. Allow him to go on loan for maybe another season and wait and bide your time and then cash in if you don’t think he’s going to be good enough.

“I think he’s done well so far this season for Southampton. Obviously you like to see a striker with a few more goals but his all-round game’s good. He’s intelligent, he finds himself in some good areas and I think once he discovers a bit more movement then I think he could bang in the goals next season for sure.”

“I think it’s Manchester City or Liverpool. They’re the two giants in it. I think City need it more than anybody and we say it every year but they have the squad to do it. They just have to get it right on the night. On their night they’re unbelievable and probably the favourites for nearly every single football match they start so they’re going to win it sooner or later.”

“I’m going to go for Liverpool. I think the way they can play in these big games they’ve just got a lot more going for them, in their performances, and their momentum shall we say.

“We want to see some entertainment. I don’t want it to be a 1-0 or a 0-0 for sure. Both teams are capable of scoring aren’t they. Let’s hope for a big open game and make it exciting.”

“I’d probably say out of the two clubs it’s Chelsea’s most likely chance of silverware this season. This is probably their best chance. They've got one game and I can’t see them getting to another final at the moment. I think this is their biggest chance for some silverware.”

“I’d probably say out of the two clubs it’s Chelsea’s most likely chance of silverware this season. This is probably their best chance. They've got one game and I can’t see them getting to another final at the moment. I think this is their biggest chance for some silverware.”