West Ham will face battle to keep Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek this summer, talkSPORT told, as duo hailed as ‘best midfield partnership in the country’

West Ham will ‘struggle’ to keep hold of key midfield duo Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek this summer.

That’s according to Jason Cundy, who insists there will be ‘huge’ interest in the Hammers stars due to their solid performances this season.

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Rice and Soucek have only spent a little over 12 months together, with the Czech international signing for West Ham in January 2020, but they have quickly formed a strong partnership.

If Rice, the club’s captain in the absence of Mark Noble, is the leader of David Moyes’ team, Soucek is his trusted lieutenant.

They’re the engine room of the Hammers team, doing the hard yards in the centre of the pitch and chipping in with goals as well – Soucek is the club’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with eight.

Together, they have helped West Ham up to fifth in the table and well in contention for what would be a remarkable top four finish, and a place in next season’s Champions League.

Rice refused to get carried away on that front following Monday night’s 2-0 win over Leeds, despite that result taking the Hammers to within just two points of fourth place Chelsea.

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But it’s likely Rice will have to get used to playing at the top level in Europe, according to Cundy, who believes the country’s top clubs will be swarming around West Ham’s star duo in the summer.

“They are going to struggle to hold on to them, the two midfielders,” the former Chelsea and Tottenham defender said on Monday night’s Sports Bar.

“If big-money bids come in, West Ham will possibly – unless they are in the Champions League – find it hard to hold on to them.

“Because huge money is going to come in for those two.

“Soucek has been brilliant; there is not a lot he can’t do!

“He can win the ball, he scores goals, he’s good in the air, he’s defensively solid… all round they’ve got a little bit of everything, Rice and Soucek.

“They’re possibly the best two in the country, the best midfield partnership.

“If there’s anyone out there better than those two, there ain’t many better than them.

“I like watching West Ham play. They’re easy on the eye, they have a nice style, they play with purpose, they know what they’re doing, well organised.

“They had a tough start, but they’ve been doing this all this season – they’ve been getting solid and consistent performances all season.

“Credit to David Moyes, he’s a good manager who knows how to get a tune out of a team. He’s got the balance on this West Ham team right.”