‘Amazing’: Declan Rice shares what John Terry did after he was released by Chelsea

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Declan Rice has shared that John Terry got in touch with him over the phone when he was released by Chelsea as a youngster.

West Ham and England star Rice, who’s regarded by many as one of the best central midfielders around right now, initially saw his path into professional football blocked when he was younger.

He was released by Chelsea at 14 after joining them age seven, so it was a big knock back for him. It’s often a spell in careers where so many talented teenagers fall short of their dream of turning professional.

However, his career has taken off since being picked up by London rivals West Ham soon after. The 23-year-old’s now the vice-captain for the Hammers and arguably their standout individual after coming through their youth ranks.

England international Rice has explained how then-Chelsea captain Terry was brilliant in helping him deal with his Stamford Bridge release. Furthermore, he’s said the pair still speak regularly now.

“I speak to him a lot, all the time really. For me growing up and having a season ticket there, going to all the games, being in the academy. Just looking at him, everything with JT. The kits had Terry 26 on the back. Even when I was younger I said if I make it I want to be number 26. I feel like as I got older I got out of that and it would look a creepy now!” Rice told The Overlap.

“But when I was released he was amazing. He picked up the phone and he didn’t have to. I was only 14 and I was speaking to my idol so we have a good relationship.”

Chelsea era inspired so many

It’s no surprise to hear Rice, who originally started as a centre-back before transitioning into a midfielder, idolised legendary centre-back Terry.

Elsewhere, current Chelsea first-team star Mason Mount will have grown up watching Frank Lampard in the very same successful Blues side.

There is an unbelievable amount of talent coming out of Chelsea’s academy at Cobham right now.

The batch of young players will have all grown up watching iconic figures like Terry, Lampard, Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and Petr Cech starring in the first team.

The obvious elephant in the room is the everlasting transfer links of West Ham’s Rice returning to the Bridge. However, he’s still very much their player with two-and-a-half years still left on his Hammers contract.

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