Graeme Souness has delivered a blunt assessment of Declan Rice, arguing that the Arsenal star may ultimately be better suited to a role in central defence rather than midfield.
The former Liverpool and Scotland captain made the comments following England’s dramatic 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, a result that ended the Three Lions’ hopes of lifting the trophy despite another impressive run under Thomas Tuchel.
Rice, who played a key role in Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign before anchoring England’s midfield throughout the World Cup, has been widely regarded as one of Europe’s elite defensive midfielders.
However, Souness believes the 27-year-old lacks the passing range and creativity required to dominate games at the highest level.
The outspoken pundit also compared Rice with Spain’s Rodri, using the Manchester City midfielder as the benchmark for what a complete holding midfielder should offer.
Rice endured a difficult evening against Argentina.
Having battled fitness concerns leading into the match, he was replaced after 82 minutes before England surrendered their lead as Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez completed Argentina’s comeback.
While the defeat was viewed as a collective disappointment, Souness singled out Rice and fellow midfielder Elliot Anderson during his appearance on Piers Morgan’s Sports Uncensored.
“One is very young, 22, so has a chance of getting better. Declan won’t get any better, he’s as good as he’ll get at 27,” Souness said on Piers Morgan’s Sports Uncensored.
“I don’t see enough football in them, I see them as players who recycle the ball. I don’t see them hurting people.
“If you want the polar opposite, the night before [when Spain beat France] we saw arguably the best in the world — Rodri. They go a goal up and he’s still getting them on the front foot. He’s a proper midfield player.
“Rice, for me, is limited. You hear people talk about Rice as a world class footballer. I think he might be a centre-half.
“There is nothing to dislike about his attitude to the game and his athleticism. There is nothing to dislike about his commitment from the first minute to the last.
“My criticism is: he doesn’t have enough football in him. You talk about ‘look how he runs with the ball.’ As a centre midfield player that’s what you shouldn’t do. The reason people run with the ball is because they don’t see the picture quickly enough.
“My take on being a central midfielder is: if you’re a striker or a wide player, they want me to have the minimum touches. I’ve got this vision in my head of people saying ‘he carries the ball well’ but you don’t want to carry the ball.
“I’ve got Rice running with the ball 20 yards, he is confronted by an opposition player, the handbrake goes on, and he passes it square.”
Souness’ comments are likely to spark debate across the football world, particularly given Rice’s impressive achievements over the past two seasons.
The England international has developed into one of Arsenal’s most influential players since arriving from West Ham and has earned praise for his leadership, defensive awareness and consistency.
However, critics have occasionally questioned whether Rice possesses the progressive passing and attacking vision associated with elite midfield playmakers.
Despite those concerns, Rice remains a trusted figure for both club and country.
His versatility has also been evident throughout his career, having started as a central defender before transitioning into midfield during his breakthrough years at West Ham.
England’s World Cup campaign also presented unique challenges for Rice.
Illness disrupted parts of the tournament, while injuries elsewhere forced tactical adjustments, including spells where he operated in unfamiliar positions.
As England prepare to face France in the third-place playoff, Rice will be eager to finish the tournament on a positive note and respond to the criticism on the pitch.
Whether Souness’ verdict proves accurate or simply fuels another football debate, one thing remains certain: Declan Rice’s role and influence will continue to be closely scrutinised as England build towards their next major international challenge.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
