Theories abound as to why Declan Rice is taking time to deliberate his international future three caps into his Ireland career. A player who seemed committed to playing in green is suddenly not so sure.
An agent in his ear, pressure from West Ham and an improving England team - one which reached a World Cup semi-final with Eric Dier making appearances - are all possible factors.
If he does make that move, Sam Allardyce thinks it is one Rice may eventually regret.
"He's got to sit down and have a real good think about it, himself and whoever he believes he can listen to and say: Is it better playing for England and it ends up being less than ten matches, or is it better playing for Ireland and playing 60 matches at international level?" Allardyce told Talksport.
Rice is a player with an abundance of potential. Though, he is yet to nail down his best position, not to mind a first team spot at West Ham.
He started the club's first win of the season against Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening but seemed to have fallen out of favour with Manuel Pellegrini in the league. Though, it still is just three games into the season.
"That’s the choice he has to make, which is a very difficult choice at 19 because he still doesn’t really know how good he's going to be," said Allardyce.
"It's a terrible mistake if he chooses England and then doesn’t play."
Picture credit: Sportsfile
