Rodri and Declan Rice are widely considered the two best defensive midfielders in the world.
Since the Englishman’s move to Arsenal, he has often been compared to the Spaniard, who has operated at world-class standards for Manchester City for several years now.
Several ex-players and pundits have chimed in on who they reckon is the better player, with Wayne Rooney preferring Rodri to Rice as one example.
Even Yaya Toure claimed Rodri is superior to Rice but it goes without saying that both players are exceptional in their own right.
Rodri in action for Manchester City vs Juventus.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
John Obi Mikel says Rodri is better than Declan Rice
With Rodri winning four Premier League titles as well as a treble at Manchester City while also becoming a Ballon d’Or winner means that the 28-year-old’s body of his work is superior to that of the Arsenal midfielder.
However, Declan Rice has been incredibly consistent for the Gunners as both a number six and in a more advanced box-to-box midfield role while having also been West Ham United’s shining light.
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Speaking on his official podcast, John Obi Mikel claimed that while Rice is a brilliant player, Rodri is the standout defensive midfielder in the Premier League, saying: “He’s a machine [Rice]. I’ve always said, I think, for me, I still think the best defensive midfield player in the Premier League, for me, my opinion is Rodri. But Dec is not far away.”
“Dec, he’s changed this Arsenal team as well, he’s made them more solid, that’s why they concede less goals and he can carry the ball, a lot of defensive players can do that, he can carry the ball and technically, he’s very good too, fantastic player.”
David Moyes gave a surprising pick to settle the Rodri-Declan Rice debate
Being a holding midfielder himself, John Obi Mikel has always admired Rodri, which is why him opting for the decorated maestro over Rice comes as no surprise.
The 2025/2026 season will be another chance for the former Hammers captain to prove that he is the standout number six in the Premier League, however.
However, David Moyes believes Rodri is better than Rice, which goes to show how outstanding the City conductor is as the Scotsman managed the latter for years at West Ham.
Manchester City have a true match-winner at their disposal who may already have a claim for being one of the best defensive midfielders in the history of the game.