Chelsea should not expect an easy ride to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, claims ESPN.
Rice has emerged as a top transfer target for Chelsea manager Frank Lampard this summer but West Ham are determined to hold on to their star asset.
Lampard even sees Rice as a potential fix to their defensive woes by playing the England international at centre-back.
Rice was on Chelsea's books as a youngster before eventually joining West Ham and establishing a name for himself for the east London outfit.
The 21-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past, has already conceded he would like to link up with best friend, and Chelsea midfielder, Mason Mount at club level.
West Ham are currently involved in a relegation battle but are sitting four points above the drop, helped by their 3-2 win over Chelsea last week.
Relegation will make it more difficult to hold on to Rice over the summer but David Moyes is hopeful of fending off interest from their London rivals.
Only Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (174) has won possession in the middle third more times than Rice (138) in the Premier League this season.
