![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2.33217395.jpg\")
Manuel Pellegrini believes Declan Rice can have a big future with England should he decide to turn his back on the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\nManuel Pellegrini believes Declan Rice can have a big future with England should he decide to turn his back on the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n
West Ham defender Rice is at the center of an international tug-of-war having been omitted from the latest Ireland squad as he considers switching allegiance to England.<\/p>\n
London-born Rice has three senior caps for the Republic, but they all came in friendly matches meaning the 19-year-old could yet represent England.<\/p>\n
An England call-up may look a long way away at the moment but Republic boss Martin O\u2019Neill revealed England have spoken to the player.<\/p>\n
However, former England manager Sam Allardyce thinks Rice could be making a “terrible mistake” by switching allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England.<\/p>\n
Saying Rice needs to be careful about his decision, Allardyce said: “Is it better playing for England and it ends up being less than 10 matches, or is it better playing for Ireland and playing 60 matches at international level?<\/p>\n
“That’s the choice he has to make which is a very difficult choice at 19, because he still doesn’t realize how good he is going to be.<\/p>\n
“It’s a terrible mistake if he chooses England and then doesn’t play.”<\/p>\n
Rice helped West Ham come from a goal down to beat AFC Wimbledon 3-1 in the Carabao Cup last night, and manager Pellegrini says the youngster has a big decision to make over his international prospects.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a big problem but I think that his heart must decide if he feels more Irish or more English,\u201d said Pellegrini.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe for him it can be more easy to play for Ireland but if you trust in yourself and you feel that you are an English player\u2026 it is a personal decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very difficult to give advice but I am always speaking with him because he is young.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you are 19 you need to be strong \u2013 he is a strong player, he is a good technical player. I think he has a big future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith England he will have big competition but I think he is able to take that challenge, without giving him a decision. He must take the decision himself.\u201d<\/p>\n