Declan on Chelsea roots and how he wishes to stay in London

are keen on acquiring the services of

Declan Rice

and have been close to triggering a transfer in the last two years. They are said to be planning a transfer for the midfielder in the summer; however, they will have to deal with competition from other

sides as

are heavily linked with his services.

The 23-year-old, who came through the Blues academy before being released at 14, has never denied his connection to Chelsea and told The Overlap of his family's affiliation with the club.

"

Growing up, the whole family was Chelsea,"

Rice said.

"I feel like it's out there, everyone knows, it's well documented.

"But I feel like when you play for a club like West Ham you become really affiliated to it, and there's part of me now - and my family as well - that is a massive West Ham fan."

The England international revealed that he does not wish to move far from the area of Kingston-upon-Thames when conducting the interview with Gary Neville.

"

I'm here all the time,"

Rice explained, revealing that he still lives near where he grew up.

"I've always wanted to stay close to this place, I feel like I don't want to lose my roots."

Rice then talked about how he admires the Blues legend

John Terry

.

"

I speak to him a lot. I speak to him all the time really,"

he said.

"For me growing up being a Chelsea fan, having a season ticket there, going to all the games, being in the academy. Just him, looking at him, everything was JT as a kid. JT 26 on the back. Even when I was younger, I said if I make it I want to be No 26, but I feel like as I've got older now I've grown out of that - it would look a bit creepy! 

"He was amazing for me when I got released as well, he picked up the phone - he didn't have to, I was only 14 at the time and I was speaking to my idol - so yeah, we've got a good relationship."

Terry then took it to his Twitter account to answer Rice’s comments saying 'Love ya mate'.

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