Declan Rice talks up big reunion and it will fill West Ham with the deepest regret

Declan Rice talks up big reunion and it will fill West Ham with the deepest regret

Declan Rice has sparked fresh emotion among West Ham supporters after posting about a reunion that only deepens the club’s sense of regret, with the Hammers now staring relegation squarely in the face.

There is no disguising the danger West Ham find themselves in. A run of six Premier League matches without a win, during which they have dropped seven points from winning positions, has left them rooted in the bottom three.

If Nottingham Forest manage to draw or defeat Fulham, West Ham would effectively be seven points from safety due to their inferior goal difference. From this position, Nuno Espírito Santo faces a monumental task to keep the club in the top flight.

A decline years in the making

West Ham’s current predicament is the result of a steady decline over the past two seasons. Since January 2024, the club have won just 19 of their 74 Premier League matches, a stark reflection of their regression.

The slide began under David Moyes, but matters worsened after players reportedly lost direction when they learned his proposed contract extension had been withdrawn by the board. Subsequent decisions only compounded the problem.

Julen Lopetegui’s appointment, coupled with Tim Steidten’s control of recruitment, proved damaging, while Graham Potter’s tenure somehow dragged the club further backwards.

Now, the responsibility falls to Nuno to restore West Ham to the competitive standards they once reached under Moyes.

The Rice-sized void

Central to Moyes’ success was Declan Rice, a generational talent whose development and leadership defined the club’s most successful modern era. Under Moyes, Rice helped guide West Ham to their highest-ever Premier League points total, their first major trophy since 1980, and three consecutive seasons of European football.

His £105 million sale to Arsenal marked a turning point. While Moyes initially appeared to have replaced Rice with the signings of James Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez, the reality soon became clear: neither could replicate the energy, authority, and all-round influence Rice brought to the side.

West Ham’s failure to properly replace their former captain left a gaping hole in midfield. Although the arrivals of Soungoutou Magassa and Mateus Fernandes this summer offered hope, they may have come too late unless a dramatic turnaround follows.

Warnings ignored

When West Ham parted ways with Moyes, many warned the club to be careful what they wished for. That phrase has since become painfully familiar to supporters, as each managerial change has only reinforced the sense that stability was sacrificed.

Moyes has since said the timing of his departure suited all parties, though it is widely believed he would have accepted a new deal had certain conditions been met. He was unhappy with losing his veto on transfers and the demotion of his son from the recruitment setup.

As West Ham’s difficult season continues, the need for leadership and resilience is greater than ever. The club survived a similar relegation battle when Moyes returned in early 2020 — a reminder that escape is possible, but far from guaranteed.

A painful reminder

That sense of regret was amplified after Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday night, a result that sent the Gunners back to the top of the Premier League. Rice was outstanding, producing a performance that made him a strong contender for man of the match.

Following the game, Rice was reunited with Moyes at Hill Dickinson Stadium. He later shared a photo of the pair on Instagram, captioned: “Forever grateful to this man” alongside a heart emoji.

Given West Ham’s current struggles, the image struck a nerve. Many supporters noted that everything has gone “downhill” since both Rice and Moyes left the club.

While some argue Moyes’ departure accelerated the decline, it is West Ham’s failure to replace Rice that has arguably done the most damage. Had either still been at the club, many believe the Hammers would not be facing such a bleak situation.

Those chapters are firmly closed now. But as the board reflects on that image with regret, their focus must be on ensuring that the exits of Rice and Moyes do not culminate in the ultimate disaster — relegation to the Championship.