With a club in turmoil, and West Ham firmly under the microscope with bookies now placing the Hammers as clear favourites as relegation candidates, one factor largely ignored is not the replacement of David Moyes as club manager.

The transfer of club captain Declan Rice to Arsenal and lack of even a half-decent replacement has plunged the club into a headlong spiral.

The departure was unavoidable, the player wanted to leave, and the fee of £105m was a transfer record for a British player. Yet as a consequence West Ham lost their captain and midfield anchor.

With Rice in the team the club won a European trophy, had regular top half finishes, conceded fewer goals and better possession stats with Rice shielding the back line.

The ex Hammer averaged over 2,000 touches per season and consistently ranked among the top for interceptions, tackles, and ball recoveries.

Selling West Ham’s captain marked the start of the club’s decline

Happy days: West Ham’s Euro triumph marked the high-water mark

After Rice’s departure, the Hammers finished 9th and then subsequently 14th with no clear replacement and as a consequence the midfield has often been overrun leading to increased goals...