David Moyes says he hopes Declan Rice is welcomed back ‘with open arms’ as the midfielder makes his first return to West Ham this week.
West Ham host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, a clash that will represent Rice’s first return to the Hammers since his £105m move across London last summer.
Rice captained West Ham to Europa Conference League success last season and Moyes believes that achievement should see Rice welcomed back at the London Stadium.
“I hope we’ll see Declan back. This is the man who lifted the first European trophy in 50 years at West Ham. He should be welcome back with open arms,” Moyes said at his pre-match press conference.
“He was a brilliant member of the team and conducted himself impeccably as a West Ham captain. I’m really looking forward to seeing him. I’m not sure I want him to play! But I hope he is there.”
West Ham’s win in the Conference League ended a 43-year wait for a major trophy and Moyes says the Carabao Cup represents another chance at silverware, despite being lower in the club’s priorities in comparison to the Premier League and Europe.
“Most Premier League managers would accept that, especially once they are in Europe, but every cup is an opportunity – last year in the Conference League, before we knew it, we found ourselves through.”
