Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been slammed for ‘cheating’ as he was criticised by a former Sky Sports pundit for his inability to influence games
Graeme Souness has criticised Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and branded his midfield style as “cheating”.
The England star remains the most expensive signing in the Gunners’ history and has been pivotal as they’ve transformed into one of Europe’s top sides. Rice has established himself as a commanding presence for club and country, helping Arsenal secure the Premier League title last season, and has even emerged in conversation for the Ballon d’Or.
However, legendary Liverpool, Sampdoria, Rangers and Scotland star Souness – one of the greatest midfielders in history – remains unconvinced by Rice’s abilities and refuses to place him among the elite players in his position after attacking his style of play.
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The former Liverpool captain has questioned the positions the 27-year-old takes up during matches and highlighted how Rice frequently appears as one of Arsenal’s deepest players, affording him additional time as he operates almost like a centre-back.
The former Sky Sports analyst, 73, even suggested Rice is “cheating” with his placement as he delivered another scathing verdict.
Speaking on Piers Morgan’s new Football Uncensored show, he said: “How many times do you see him as the last man with the ball. In the build-up, he’s last man. He’s sitting between two centre-halves or between the centre-half and the full-back. He’s last man. A lot of the time, he doesn’t play in midfield.
“In my second or third home game (of my career), I went into the back four like all midfield players do today. It’s old man’s football. It’s cheating. An old man’s way of playing midfield. You get the ball under no pressure and you play it out to the full-back.”
Souness has previously argued that Rice’s game lacks versatility, despite the impact he’s made for both Arsenal and England in recent years. The Liverpool legend believes that, as a midfielder, he operates too deep to genuinely influence matches.
“He (Rice) plays too deep to affect the game,” he continued. “I don’t think he’s got enough football. Let me tell you what he can do. He’s the best defensive midfielder in the country right now, he smells danger. But then again, he’s back there all the time.
“He’s not a midfield player then is he? I think he may be a centre-half. The ball travels faster than you do. I see him run with the ball 30 yards and pass it square. He’s a lovely kicker of the ball and opens his body up well, there’s nothing to dislike about him.
“But modern players are a bit precious. Criticism doesn’t fall easily on these [players] shoulders. He isn’t the complete midfield player.”