Graeme Souness has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, branding him a 'limited' and 'steady Eddie' player following England's World Cup semi-final exit to 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 see Argentina score two late goals to win 2-1 and reach the final.
Souness: Rice is not world-class
Souness, a former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder, dismissed claims that Rice is among the world's best, comparing him unfavourably to Manchester City's Rodri. '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.'
He added: 'If you want the polar opposite to those two, the night before we saw arguably the best in the world and someone who's been the best for a number of years in Rodri. 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, he's a proper midfielder.'
John Terry defends Rice
Chelsea legend John Terry, who won multiple Premier League titles with the Blues, leapt to Rice's defence. 'I disagree actually,' Terry said. 'I'm in the Declan Rice camp, I do think he's world-class. 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
Undeterred, Souness reiterated his criticism. 'For me he 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.' Rice's substitution proved pivotal as Argentina capitalised, with England now facing France in the third-place play-off on Saturday. Rice is unlikely to feature due to ongoing fitness issues, according to reports.
Rice, who joined Arsenal from West Ham for a club-record £105 million in 2023, helped the Gunners win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final last season. Despite his success, Souness remains unconvinced, suggesting Rice might be better suited as a centre-half. 'There's nothing to dislike about him in terms of his attitude, his athleticism and his commitment from the first minute to the last. My criticism is he doesn't have enough football in him. People talk about him and how he runs with the ball, as a centre midfield player you shouldn't do that. That means you haven't seen the picture quick enough.'
England's World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak, with reigning champions Argentina set to face Spain in Sunday's final after Spain knocked out tournament favourites France.
