Thoughts on Rice:

Ppl widely acknowledge we don’t have a Kante back up in the squad, realise our title hopes rest on his fitness, but don’t want a proven quality player to come in & compete for a place coz it might affect Ampadu on loan at Sheffield United! Where is the logic!?

This logic wasn’t applied for signing Havertz in the summer. People weren’t saying oh this will be bad for Mount, Anjorin & Gallagher. We signed Werner & look how Giroud & Tammy have responded . Top squads have great depth & quality options to bring in.

Great Chelsea sides of the past had so many international captains & leaders in the dressing room. At one point our midfield options included Lampard, Ballack , Essien , Makalele, Mikel etc. At top clubs there should always be competition for places.

There’s a reason Chelsea haven’t challenged on four fronts for many seasons coz we’ve not had a real competition for places in our squad. If you want to be a top team you’re playing 60 + games a season . You don’t say no to signing proven quality .

Look where signing “back up” players has got us in recent seasons & how we got further away then ever from competing on all fronts . If you don’t like or want Rice fine but don’t say it’s coz you’re worried about the impact on Ampadu ffs.

Rice is premier league proven and has played regular football for a number of seasons , Ampadu has not. If Ampadu is to have a successful career at Chelsea he’ll have to work hard and compete for his spot like all players should . End of my thoughts