Unlike Steven Gerrard or Patrick Vieira, Declan Rice cannot ‘bend games to his will’ and must step up a level if he is to be remembered as a truly elite midfielder, Ian Ladyman has argued on the Daily Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast.
Speaking to co-host Mark Clattenburg and special guest Katie Shanahan, the Daily Mail’s chief football writer said Rice, now in his prime at 27, must be able to reproduce the world class form he showed in Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal each and every week.
Comparing Arsenal’s £105m midfielder to Roy Keane, Ladyman argued that Rice too often goes missing for club and country when his side are struggling and must be more consistent if he is to be considered among the Premier League’s greats.
Rice was dominant during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, helping the Gunners reach their first Champions League final in 20 years.
Declan Rice cannot ‘bend games to his will’ and must step up a level if he is to be remembered as a truly elite midfielder, Ian Ladyman has argued
Ladyman argued that Rice too often goes missing for club and country when his side are struggling and must be consistent if he is to be considered among the Premier League’s greats
Ladyman said: ‘I thought Rice was brilliant against Atletico but I think he needs to just get to that next level now.’
‘What level?’, Clattenburg asked.
‘I don’t think he gets hold of games, I am talking about an elite level’, Ladyman responded.
‘I am talking about Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard level – central midfield players who would bend games to their will.
‘I don’t see enough games for Arsenal or for England where I come away thinking: ‘Declan Rice, wow!’
‘For example, against Newcastle – that game was very, very nervy. You have got to have someone that can calm things down.
‘Roy Keane could do it. The greatest thing about him was that he kept his standards high when everyone else’s would drop. I might be in the minority here, but personally, I want to see a little more of that from Declan Rice.
Presenter and former England hockey international Katie Shanahan disagreed, saying Rice had been the ‘difference maker’ for Arsenal this season
Rice was dominant during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid , helping the Gunners reach their first Champions League final in 20 years
‘He is 27-years-old now, it has got to be the time.’
Presenter and former England hockey international Katie Shanahan disagreed, saying Rice had been the ‘difference maker’ for Arsenal this season.
The Gunners currently sit atop the Premier League, with the trophy once again in their hands after Manchester City dropped points in Monday’s draw against Everton.
‘For £105 million, I think he’s proven to be a bargain’, she said.
‘He works so hard. Rice is a future England captain, he’s carried Arsenal over the line. He’s just been so solid, you can always count on him.’
Having seen the likes of Roy Keane up close as a referee, co-host Clattenburg contested Ladyman’s assessment, arguing the comparison was apples and oranges.
‘Declan drives Arsenal up the pitch. He is really good at picking up the ball in defence and getting forward’, he said.
‘His defensive duty is also second to none. I didn’t always see those things with Roy Keane. He was more physical, always getting into something.’
To listen to the full debate, search for Whistleblowers wherever you get your podcasts – or on YouTube.
