Graeme Souness has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, branding him a 'limited' and 'steady Eddie' player after England's World Cup semi-final exit against Argentina. Rice, who struggled with injury and illness during the tournament, was substituted by manager Thomas Tuchel while England held a narrow lead, only to watch from the bench as Argentina scored two late goals to win 2-1 and reach the final.
Souness questions Rice's world-class status
Despite Rice's reputation as one of the world's best midfielders since joining Arsenal from West Ham, Souness disagrees. 'Elliot Anderson is very young so he's got a chance to get better but Declan won't get any better,' Souness told Sports Uncensored. 'You're looking at as good as you're going to get at 27. I don't see enough football in the two of them. I see them as players who recycle the ball but I don't see them hurting opponents enough.'
Souness contrasted Rice unfavourably with Spain's Rodri, who he called 'arguably the best in the world' and a 'proper midfielder'. 'They go a goal back and he still gets them on the front foot with his passing. Not be running with the ball unnecessarily or going square all the time,' Souness added. 'I think these two lads are limited. Declan Rice for me is limited. You hear people talk about Rice and say he's a world-class footballer… I think he might be a centre-half.'
John Terry defends Rice
Chelsea legend John Terry came to Rice's defence, calling him 'world-class'. 'I'm in the Declan Rice camp, I do think he's world-class,' Terry said. 'He's world-class and breaking the play up. Declan's role in that England side isn't to drive forward or to pick a pass or open a defence up, Declan – like Rodri – stops everything in front of you. [Claude] Makelele and [N'Golo] Kante did it for us and these guys play such a big role. If there's one player I want in front of the back-four or five last night it's Declan Rice but he had to leave the pitch. I was so disappointed to see him leave the pitch yesterday.'
Souness doubles down
Souness rejected Terry's defence, insisting Rice 'didn't affect the game'. 'The two anchors didn't take part in that second half. Neither of them are midfield maestros, they're steady Eddie players. That's how I see them both,' he said. Rice is unlikely to feature in the third-place play-off against France on Saturday due to his fitness issues throughout the tournament. Argentina face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final.
