Sky Sports pundit Beckford opens up on Rice role change in West Ham v Lyon

Jermaine Beckford thinks West Ham ace Declan Rice could play in defense or even in a forward role in the quarter-final against Lyon.

The Hammers face Ligue 1 knowing that a draw will not be enough to progress.

With the score at 1-1, it’s a winning game in France and the Sky Sports pundit can see David Moyes offering something from left field for this one.

Speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, Beckford said: “They can play one of their young players in midfield and let Rice run. A suggestion from left field, but he could also play defense with Zouma out. I can see that.”

Weird

Rice hasn’t played defense in a while, so it’s surprising that Beckford would suggest it.

It’s not even a game of dead rubber that David Moyes could watch to experience such a big change.

It is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season for the Hammers and arguably the biggest since he took charge of the club.

Rice is his best player and that’s when he’s deployed in midfield.

We also don’t see a young midfielder coming in, as there are no options to play there.

Alex Kral hasn’t really set the world on fire as Conor Coventry is loaned out, leaving them out of options.

Hopefully Moyes doesn’t try to be too smart for this one and sticks to the system he knows will win them the game.

In other West Ham news, the Hammers have scouted a ‘dangerous’ £20million-rated British striker and want to seal a permanent move this summer.

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