Declan Rice has come under criticism in some quarters (Picture: Getty)
A former coach of Arsenal and England star Declan Rice has leapt to the midfielder’s defence after he was branded as ‘very overrated’ by critics.
Rice was widely praised as one of the signings of last season in the Premier League last term, playing a key role for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s side pushed Manchester City all the way until the final day of the campaign.
The former West Ham captain has also become an established member of England’s starting XI and has started both games so far at Euro 2024 for Gareth Southgate’s side.
However, the 25-year-old has not been without his naysayers, with ex-Republic of Ireland international James McClean brandishing the praise Rice receives as ‘completely over the top’.
‘I think Declan Rice is very overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a very good footballer but the way the English media wax lyrical about him, I think it’s completely over the top,’ he told RTE prior to England’s 1-1 draw against Denmark.
‘For me, he’s not world-class. World-class to me is someone who gets in every single side in the world and I don’t think he does that.
‘I don’t think he gets in the Manchester City side ahead of Rodri. I don’t think… Kroos is now retired but, to me, Toni Kroos is world-class, he dictates the game. Rodri dictates the game. I don’t think Declan Rice does that.’
Kevin Nolan worked with Rice at West Ham (Picture: Getty)
Rice endured one of his poorer displays in an England top as the Three Lions laboured to a draw against Denmark on Thursday.
However, Kevin Nolan, who coached Rice during his time at West Ham, dismissed the criticism of the Arsenal midfielder and labelled McLean’s comments, particularly, as laughable.
‘James McClean, do me a favour. Knowing Dec, that would have just made him laugh,’ Nolan said alongside former England boss Sam Allardyce on the No Tippy Tippy Football Podcast
‘Don’t get me wrong, he didn’t have his best game in an England jersey, but that’s one in about 60. He’s had one bad game in 60 for England. I thought he was brilliant every time I watched him.
‘I can’t believe he said that, and had the cojones to actually say that, because Declan Rice is one of the best in the world at what he does.
Rice failed to impress when England played Denmark on Thursday (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Steven Gerrard. So I’ve played with Steven Gerrard, against Steven Gerrard for years and years, and he literally was the best.
‘Dec is the closest thing, specimen wise, one minute you see him, one minute he’s gone. He could play the higher role as he’s shown at Arsenal at times this season, he could play the lower role. He’s got a helluva strike, he can play.’
Rice is expected to retain his place in England’s side for their group-stage finale against Slovenia, with many – including Gary Neville – calling for the 25-year-old to be deployed in a more advanced midfield role.
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