Graeme Souness has launched a scathing attack on Declan Rice, claiming the Arsenal midfielder is 'cheating' by playing 'old man's football'. The England international has seen his reputation grow since becoming the Gunners' record signing, winning the Premier League last season and transforming into a leader for his country.
However, Souness, one of the finest British midfielders ever to play the game, refuses to rank Rice among the top operators in his position. The Scot questioned the positions that Rice picks up during matches and called on him to do more to impact games at the highest level.
Souness questions Rice's positioning
Souness pointed out that Rice frequently operates as one of Arsenal's deepest players on the pitch, affording him additional time as he effectively functions as a central defender, with the former Sky Sports pundit suggesting he's "cheating" with his positioning while continuing his scathing critique.
He said on Piers Morgan's new Football Uncensored show: "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."
Rice plays too deep to affect the game
Souness has previously questioned the scope of Rice's capabilities, despite the undeniable influence he has exerted at both Arsenal and England throughout his career. The Liverpool great argues that, for a midfielder, Rice operates too deep on the pitch to genuinely shape the outcome of 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."
