Declan Rice: Souness Highlights Key Area For Improvement To Become World-Class

Rajiv Sharma

5 min read

Post on May 02, 2025

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Souness's Criticism: Goal Scoring and Contribution in the Final Third

Graeme Souness, a legend of the game known for his forthright commentary, has pointed to a key area needing improvement in Declan Rice's game: his attacking contribution. While acknowledging Rice's defensive excellence, Souness has subtly criticized the midfielder's lack of consistent goal-scoring prowess and overall impact in the final third. He hasn't explicitly stated it in a single quote readily available, but his general commentary suggests this is a key area for Rice's development.

• Limited Goal Contributions: Analyzing Rice's statistics reveals a relatively modest number of goals and assists compared to other top Premier League midfielders. While his defensive contributions are substantial, his offensive output needs a significant boost to reach the next level.

• Comparison to Elite Midfielders: Players like Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes consistently contribute goals and assists, showcasing the importance of attacking prowess in a modern midfielder's game. Rice, while strong defensively, needs to emulate this offensive output to truly compete with the world's best.

• Need for Improved Final Third Play: Souness's implied criticism centers on Rice's decision-making and execution in the final third. More incisive passing, improved shooting accuracy, and an increased willingness to take on players would significantly elevate his attacking capabilities. This includes things like better positioning to receive passes in scoring positions and a more assertive approach when near the opposition goal.

Rice's Strengths: Defensive Prowess and Leadership

Before addressing areas for improvement, it's vital to acknowledge Declan Rice's undeniable strengths. His defensive capabilities are truly exceptional. He displays:

• Masterful Tackling and Interceptions: Rice consistently disrupts opposition attacks with well-timed tackles and interceptions, showcasing his reading of the game and his physical presence.

• Strong Leadership Qualities: As West Ham's captain, Rice leads by example, inspiring his teammates through his tireless work rate and unwavering commitment. His leadership on the pitch is vital to West Ham’s success. This leadership extends beyond on-field performance and solidifies his importance to the team.

• Midfield Dominance: Rice excels at controlling the midfield battle, winning back possession and initiating attacks. His ability to dictate the tempo of the game is a key asset to any team. He consistently displays this control and allows the team to maintain possession and stability.

These attributes are crucial building blocks upon which to develop his attacking game. His defensive strength allows his team to confidently support his offensive forays.

Potential for Improvement: Technical Skills and Attacking Play

To fulfill his world-class potential, Declan Rice needs to hone his technical skills and enhance his attacking play. Souness's implicit critique suggests improvements in:

• Shooting Accuracy: Improving his shooting accuracy from both inside and outside the box is paramount. Practicing different shooting techniques and focusing on precision will lead to increased goal-scoring opportunities.

• Passing Range and Vision: Expanding his passing range and improving his vision to find key passes in the final third will significantly boost his creative output. This means practicing weighted passes and learning to anticipate runs from teammates.

• Dribbling Skills: While not a primary aspect of his game, enhancing his dribbling skills would enable him to beat defenders more effectively and create more scoring chances. Developing confidence in his ability to dribble will increase his offensive threat.

By focusing on these technical aspects, supported by dedicated training and tactical adjustments from his manager, Rice can become a more well-rounded and prolific attacking midfielder. Examples of midfielders who've successfully improved their attacking capabilities include Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté, showing that dedicated work can lead to significant improvements.

The Impact of a More Complete Game

If Declan Rice successfully enhances his attacking capabilities, the impact would be transformative:

• Elevated World-Class Status: A more complete game, combining his defensive prowess with significantly improved attacking contributions, would catapult him into the upper echelon of world-class midfielders.

• Increased Market Value and Transfer Value: His increased contributions would undoubtedly increase his market value, making him one of the most sought-after players globally.

• Enhanced National Team Contributions: His impact on the England national team would be amplified, contributing even more significantly to their attacking potency and overall success.

Conclusion: Declan Rice's Journey to World-Class – Embracing the Challenge

Graeme Souness's observations highlight a crucial area for Declan Rice’s development: enhancing his attacking contributions. While his defensive strength and leadership are undeniable assets, improving his goal-scoring, passing, and dribbling will be key to reaching world-class status. His existing foundation of defensive strength and leadership provides a solid base for this growth. The prospect of witnessing his continued evolution into a more complete, world-class midfielder is truly exciting. Do you think Declan Rice can reach world-class status by improving his attacking game? Share your thoughts in the comments below!