Declan Rice has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season as the Gunners look to finally win the Premier League after 22 years without the top-flight title – but Paul Scholes believes the England star lacks something to rank him amongst the best in the world.
Declan Rice joined Arsenal just over two years ago from West Ham, having excelled at the London Stadium and playing a key role in West Ham winning the Europa Conference League.
The England star has been instrumental in their Premier League title pushes, registering an incredible 16 goal contributions in his first season for the Gunners and grabbing a further 11 last season.
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However, when naming his best five midfielders in the world, Manchester United and England legend Paul Scholes didn’t name Rice in the quintet, as he inferred that the England star isn’t complete enough to make the cut.
Declan Rice looks on before Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
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Paul Scholes thinks Declan Rice can’t do ‘everything’ a top midfielder should be able to do
Speaking on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, Scholes stated that he was recently asked to choose who he thought were the best five midfielders currently playing in world football.
Declan Rice didn’t make the grade, which led to Scholes claiming he was criticised for not including him.
But it was implied that Rice’s inability to do ‘everything’, unlike Alexis Mac Allister and Vitinha, doesn’t see him above the other engine room stars.
Scholes said: “See, I get slagged off for this, but I did a top five the other week, and because I don’t put people like Caicedo and Declan Rice in there, I get stick for it.
“But I just like a different type of midfielder. I like Vitinha at PSG — I think he’s brilliant. Yeah, I think he’s amazing.
“For Liverpool, I thought Mac Allister was brilliant. Now, he hasn’t started great this year, but I like that type — not so much the attacking midfielder, but the more controlling one, who can do a bit of everything.
“Not just a defensive one who runs around breaking things up. Someone who might score the odd goal here and there, but who’s progressive and does a bit of everything.”
With 27 goal contributions in Rice’s last two full league campaigns for Arsenal, as well as four in nine games already this season, it does seem a harsh judgement from Scholes.
Arsenal FC v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Declan Rice really should be included in the best five midfielders in the world at present
It’s a harsh judgement from Paul Scholes. Not only does Rice contribute defensively, but he can score important goals from range and in clutch moments when he’s needed to step up.
That was evident by Rice’s two free-kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League back in April, which gave him global status to really stamp his mark as one of the best in the world.
Six goals for England in 70 caps has seen him become one of the first names on the team sheet under Thomas Tuchel.
Arsenal are also incredibly efficient at corners. Rice always takes them on the left-hand side, with his inswinging deliveries being extremely difficult to deal with – leading to Rio Ferdinand calling Rice the world’s best dead-ball specialist.
The former West Ham man chips in with goals, acts as the lynchpin in central midfield, has an exceptional long shot on him and he can chip in with last-minute efforts. Rice’s late header against Luton Town endeared him to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, and that support from the world’s best bosses does make Scholes’ exclusion harsh.