Top 5 academy graduates outside of the 'Big Six' | Premier League 2019-20

#3 Declan Rice (West Ham)

Declan Rice has broken into England's senior team after starring with West Ham

Initially part of Chelsea’s academy, Declan Rice found himself released by the Blues at the age of 14, only to immediately find a spot within West Ham’s famed youth academy soon thereafter. And it’s definitely a move that’s worked out well for the holding midfielder; since breaking into the Hammers’ first team in 2017-18, Rice has become arguably the club’s most notable academy graduate since the likes of Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand emerged in the late 1990’s.

A tough-tackling yet cultured defensive midfielder, Rice’s athleticism and speed mark him out from his peers, and despite West Ham’s struggles this season, the 21-year old has maintained a high standard of performance, appearing in all 27 of the Hammers’ Premier League matches after missing just 2 of their fixtures last season.

Already a full England international after making switching his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in early 2019, it’s clear that Rice’s best years still lie ahead of him – and could well end up lying away from the London Stadium should the Hammers find themselves relegated into the EFL Championship this season.

If Rice does indeed leave West Ham for greener pastures – he’s already been linked with a move to Manchester United, for instance – he’d join the long list of Hammers’ academy graduates to go onto success on a bigger stage. For now though, West Ham fans will be hoping he can help to save them and preserve their Premier League status.