Mason Mount could be the key to Chelsea securing West Ham talent Declan Rice this summer, with the midfielder admitting he wants to play with the Blues youngster again.
The 21-year-olds become close friends while rising through Chelsea's academy together, before Rice was plucked by the Hammers at 16.
Both men have stayed close as Rice made his Premier League breakthrough in the 2017-18 campaign before Mount burst into Blues XI under Frank Lampard this season.
Rice will be a target for many top clubs this summer, and his exit will surely be confirmed if David Moyes' side are relegated - as they hover above the drop only through goal difference.
'I'd love to play with him at club level again,' Rice told Copa90 when asked about Mount.
'One thing we've always said as kids we'd love to play with each other at club and international level but obviously you never know because of different paths and things like that.'
Both men have broken into Gareth Southgate's England setup in the past year, with Rice earning seven caps to Mount's six.
Mount's quick feet and the fresh impetus he has injected to Chelsea's line-up this season have seen him become a central player for Lampard, after linking-up with the legendary midfielder last season at Derby.
hicaloruy
0
nice
Sahla_HDP
0
We don't need Rice. He is an average overrated player.
How many times that average players turned in world class? It's a matter of self work and built.
Handsome Mike
0
Sorry not in Chelsea..Maybe in your national team...WE DON'T NEED YOU!!! Should I repeat myself???
hiyacenoru
0
I only see that happening if a midfielder goes
segunaremo280
0
you deserve my like bro... we don't even need him we have a lot defensive midfielder on ground already.. jorginho, gilmour, Kante,kovacic and ampuda is still coming.... go to another club bro
Chelsea4life1986
2
We are not a club for reunions if u wanna play with ur pal go to the park not that we gonna waste money on this guy
Andy_Mac
1
3 big reasons why we can't sign Declan Rice: 1. N'Golo Kanté 2. Billy Gilmour 3. Kovačić Potentially 4 with Jorginho if we keep him for next season
armah Reuben
1
Chelsea is not preparing English national team ooo so Lamps should be warned.These overhyped and less technical English players.They just have the talent but they are not technical
nayaeiors
2
these kind of names doesn't suit Chelsea names like Drinkwater now u wanna get rice for what... is Chelsea England squared?
dennisachafu
1
He would be a great signing for Chelsea (Declan Rice).He is an astonishing midfielder,really amazing midfielder for both West Ham United and England,he is a brilliant captain as well.He would blossom in the midfield with Mason Mount if he joins.
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Even Mason Mount may not have shirt when we buy good players.We need top players not experiment.
dennisachafu
1
I think that we should buy Rice when Kanté start to ageing in 3 or 4 years and he could have 1 or 2 seasons with Kanté to learn a lot from him. Or as I prefer, to sell Jorginho now to Juventus and revolutionize already. The way I see it, we don't need Jorginho anymore. We have Gilmour emerging, Kovaciç as best midfielder right now, Kanté coming back and won't get injuried anymore if the club stop rushing him, Barkley is finally starting to get there and Loftus-Cheek is coming back. We sell Jorginho, get Rice and we have a beast midfield.
We don't need Rice. He is an average overrated player.
cinabopr
2
Rice can not replace kante and kante is big play in this world kante super man
Sisadikt
1
rice should replace Kante and Les sell jorjhino buy boga
cinabopr
2
kante is good for Chelsea not not Rice[5percent]
cinabopr
0
Chelsea can not sing this Rice she is not good for Chelsea[5percent]
danriwbik
7
We will need beans as well soon[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
AyukHerman19
1
i prefer rice to the aging kante i mean rice will play DMF better than kante who has been playing different positions and is more error prone and injury Prone of recent we need to invest in youths
vaoceisy
0
i think he would be the next frank lampard
Sahla_HDP
2
I think that we should buy Rice when Kanté start to ageing in 3 or 4 years and he could have 1 or 2 seasons with Kanté to learn a lot from him. Or as I prefer, to sell Jorginho now to Juventus and revolutionize already. The way I see it, we don't need Jorginho anymore. We have Gilmour emerging, Kovaciç as best midfielder right now, Kanté coming back and won't get injuried anymore if the club stop rushing him, Barkley is finally starting to get there and Loftus-Cheek is coming back. We sell Jorginho, get Rice and we have a beast midfield.
rihbmnu
4
mount and rice wanted to turn chelsea FC into a mario nintendo game .this must not happen
Don-imolite
3
I can see Kante been sold to PSG and Chelsea bringing in a bag of rice with the money
Wawabirstu
2
He would be a great signing for Chelsea (Declan Rice).He is an astonishing midfielder,really amazing midfielder for both West Ham United and England,he is a brilliant captain as well.He would blossom in the midfield with Mason Mount if he joins.
Wawabirstu
1
awesome signing good one for the future... I love the boys braveness and ones a blue is always a blue... HAPPY EASTER
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Happy Easter to you as well.🙏🐰🐣
OtonorCosta
1
awesome signing good one for the future... I love the boys braveness and ones a blue is always a blue... HAPPY EASTER
Sisadikt
1
Rice should replace kante
PrinceFJr
4
Surprisingly Chelsea haven't struggled this season without Kante as Kovacic seems to be at the top of his Game without them...... Lampard must have a plan for the future with our club so let's stop criticising and support our team
PrinceFJr
5
I see Chelsea trying to build a good midfield for the future..... Mount fully established, Gilmour emerging and Rice completing the picture..... currently Jorginho and Kante are aging and we need replacements and cashing in on them to invest for the future
PrinceFJr
0
nice..rice should replace kante
I agree with u Kante's is World Class but we need youth to keep the club going forward.
Pumbcdiost
1
nice..rice should replace kante
Lol do you even know what u are talking about how is he gonna replace Kante he is gonna stop the growth of billy and if Ethan ampadu comes back 🙄🙄🙄
poebcik
3
nice..rice should replace kante