Graeme Souness: Declan Rice Needs Final Third Improvement To Reach World-Class Status

Rajiv Sharma

4 min read

Post on May 03, 2025

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Declan Rice, the West Ham United and England midfielder, is widely considered one of the Premier League's top defensive midfielders. His performances have earned him significant praise and a hefty transfer fee. However, football legend Graeme Souness believes a key area needs improvement before Rice can be classified as truly world-class. This article delves into Souness's critique and explores what Rice needs to do to elevate his game to the next level, examining his strengths and weaknesses and outlining a path to becoming a truly elite midfielder.

Souness's Criticism: Lack of Final Third Impact

Graeme Souness, known for his direct and insightful commentary, has been vocal about Declan Rice's need for improvement in the final third. Souness's criticism isn't about a lack of effort; rather, it centers on the effectiveness of Rice's contributions in the attacking phases of the game. While he acknowledges Rice's defensive strengths, Souness argues that a world-class midfielder needs to significantly influence the game at both ends of the pitch. He hasn't explicitly quoted Rice's weaknesses, but the general consensus from his commentary points to the need for a more impactful presence going forward.

Specific areas needing improvement include:

• Passing accuracy in the final third: Improving the precision and weight of his passes to create clear goal-scoring opportunities is crucial.
• Creating goal-scoring opportunities: Rice needs to actively look for passes that carve open defenses, rather than just playing safe, sideways passes.
• Shot accuracy and power: Developing a more potent and accurate shot would significantly enhance his attacking threat.
• Decision-making in attacking situations: Quick, decisive passing or shooting choices are essential for a midfielder at his level. Hesitation can often lead to lost opportunities.
• Key passes and assists: Increasing the number of key passes leading to goals or clear chances will significantly boost his offensive contribution.

Rice's Strengths: A Solid Foundation

Before discussing areas for improvement, it's vital to acknowledge Declan Rice's considerable strengths, which provide a solid foundation for future development. His defensive capabilities are exceptional, making him a key asset for both club and country. His all-around game is consistently high level, and his work ethic is undeniable.

Rice excels in several key areas:

• Tackling and interception skills: Rice consistently disrupts opposition attacks with well-timed tackles and interceptions.
• Physical strength and stamina: His strength and endurance allow him to dominate midfield battles for the full 90 minutes.
• Leadership qualities and game management: He shows composure and maturity, often influencing the rhythm of the game.
• Consistency in performance: He delivers high-level performances regularly, displaying a remarkable level of consistency.

Path to World-Class Status: Improving Final Third Play

Transforming from a top-tier defensive midfielder to a truly world-class player requires focused development in the final third. This isn't about fundamentally changing his game but rather adding another layer of proficiency. Specific actions Rice can take to boost his attacking game include:

• Enhanced shooting practice: Dedicated time on shooting technique, power, and accuracy will lead to significant improvement in this area.
• Improved passing technique and vision: Working on weighted passes and improving vision to spot opportunities would increase his effectiveness in the final third.
• Tactical training focusing on attacking play: Specific drills and tactical exercises will help develop his attacking instincts and decision-making.
• Studying the games of world-class midfielders: Analyzing the play of players like Kevin De Bruyne or Luka Modrić will provide valuable insights into successful attacking strategies.
• Increased playing time in more advanced midfield roles: More opportunities in more advanced positions would allow him to practice his skills in real game situations.

Comparing Rice to World-Class Midfielders

To understand the gap Rice needs to bridge, comparing him to established world-class midfielders is instructive. Players like Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modrić consistently impact the game offensively, creating and scoring goals with regularity.

Key differences to note:

• Key pass/assist ratio: World-class midfielders boast significantly higher key pass and assist numbers.
• Goals scored per season: Elite midfielders contribute a far greater number of goals each season.
• Overall impact on attacking play: Their overall influence on attacking moves is far more significant, directly creating and influencing scoring chances.

Conclusion

While Declan Rice possesses exceptional defensive attributes, Graeme Souness's critique highlights the need for significant improvement in his final-third contributions. Reaching world-class status requires a focused effort on enhancing his passing accuracy, shot power, and decision-making in attacking scenarios. By working on these areas, Rice can complete his game and truly challenge for a place among the world's best midfielders.

Do you agree with Graeme Souness's assessment of Declan Rice? Share your thoughts on whether Rice can bridge the gap and reach world-class status by improving his final-third play in the comments below! Let's discuss Declan Rice's potential for improvement and his journey towards world-class midfielder status.