Gary Neville delivers brutally honest Declan Rice verdict after England's Euro 2024 draw with Denmark today
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was in Euro 2024 action for England on Thursday night as Gareth Southgate’s charges limped to a 1-1 draw with Denmark....
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was in Euro 2024 action for England on Thursday night as Gareth Southgate’s charges limped to a 1-1 draw with Denmark.
The Gunners star followed up his 90-minute outing against Serbia with another full game against the Euro 1992 winners in Frankfurt.
However, Rice wasn’t at his best. He struggled to have much influence on the game, was often too deep when England were out of possession, and his passing was somewhat off.
Gary Neville, speaking on ITV after the game, shared his honest opinion on the Arsenal man’s capabilities at No. 6 and how Gareth Southgate should use him going forward.
Gary Neville believes Arsenal star Declan Rice should play further up the field
Neville believes that Rice needs to play further up the field after looking “nervous” in the meeting against the Danes, and is quite “basic” at receiving the ball from deep.
The Manchester United icon believes Southgate should learn from how Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta handled Rice at club level towards the end of last season.
“Arteta moved Declan Rice out of that position for the last 15 games of the season because he’s not that good at playing there,” Neville told ITV Football.
“Today is the most nervous I’ve seen Declan Rice. I think he’s better moving up the pitch.
“Think about what Kroos and Rodri and Vitinha does for Portugal, these players who get the team playing… Every team that’s great has this type of player.
“We don’t have that, Mainoo maybe, Wharton? We have to resolve that problem. I’m talking England generally.
“When he (Rice) goes to receive the ball deep with his back to play, I think he’s quite basic at that. I don’t think he’s as good as the other players who play that position.
“When he’s brilliant, he’s marauding forward, he’s up on top of the game, he’s aggressive. Most of his touches were in that high left channel.
“For some reason we don’t have that balance in midfield and it’s a massive problem.”
England in a dilemma as Rice wasted at No. 6
Rice is a solid enough No. 6, but while playing for Arsenal, he certainly does better with Thomas Partey and/or Jorginho behind him.
The dilemma for England is that Rice is probably the best experienced option they currently have at No. 6.
Adam Wharton could potentially come in, but it would be wrong to place so much responsibility on the shoulders of a young and relatively inexperienced player at a major tournament.
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