West Ham's Rice glad of virus relief from relegation stress

Declan Rice has said one of "nicer" consequences of coronavirus outbreak is that it has temporarily removed "stress" of West Ham's fight against Premier League relegation. Hammers were above bottom three on goal difference with nine games to play when English top flight was suspended last month as a result of pandemic. England midfielder Rice said while he was missing being around his team-mates at east London club re were some benefits from unexpected break.

Rice glad of virus relief from relegation stress

"It's tough because I am used to seeing my team-mates and going out every day, to have that taken away from you is really tough," he told Sky Sports.

"On a nicer scale of it, it is nice with position we are in at West Ham, t to feel pressure of having to go out and play for three points every week.

"It's nice from that perspective t to have that stress, but we just want to get back to it w," added 21-year-old.

Friday saw Nerlands' Eredivisie become first top European league to call an end to its 2019/20 season because of coronavirus. As a result, re will be Dutch champions this term after Ajax and AZ Alkmaar were left level on points at top of table and teams will be relegated. But a similar move in England would likely lead to an outcry given Premier League leaders Liverpool, seeking ir first domestic championship in 30 years, lead second-placed Manchester City by huge margin of 25 points. Meanwhile, likes of Leeds and Fulham are pushing for promotion to top flight. 

Im credits: AFP