West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has been hailed for his impressive performances this season, but former Liverpool player Graeme Souness believes that the 22-year-old is not yet world-class. Souness argues that while Rice has shown promise, he still has some way to go before reaching that level.
Rice has been a key figure for West Ham this season, playing a crucial role in their push for European qualification. The Englishman has made 33 appearances in all competitions, contributing with two goals and one assist. His performances have earned him praise from fans and pundits alike, with many considering him to be one of the best young talents in the Premier League.
However, Souness believes that Rice’s statistics do not tell the whole story. While acknowledging the midfielder’s abilities, Souness argues that there are still aspects of his game that need improvement. He highlights Rice’s lack of goals and assists as an area that needs addressing, suggesting that a world-class player should contribute more in terms of attacking output.
Souness also points out that Rice’s passing accuracy, while impressive, is largely due to him playing safe passes rather than taking risks. He believes that a world-class player should have the ability to unlock defenses with incisive passes and take more risks in their play.
Despite his criticisms, Souness acknowledges that Rice is on the right path to becoming a top player. He praises the midfielder’s discipline, work rate, and ability to read the game. Souness believes that with further development and experience, Rice has the potential to reach the highest level.
Rice’s performances have not gone unnoticed by England manager Gareth Southgate, who has included him in the national team setup. The midfielder has represented England at various youth levels and made his senior debut in 2019. He has since become a regular fixture in the England squad, earning praise for his performances on the international stage as well.
In conclusion, while Declan Rice has shown great potential and received widespread acclaim for his performances this season, Graeme Souness believes that he is not yet at the level of a world-class player. Souness highlights the need for Rice to improve his attacking output and take more risks in his play. However, he also acknowledges that Rice is on the right path to becoming a top player and has the potential to reach the highest level with further development and experience.
