Former England captain Stuart Pearce is a huge fan of Declan Rice, but feels he is so good that he could do even more than he does for club and country.
Rice has had a fabulous season with Arsenal, winning the Premier League title and only missing out on Champions League glory in a penalty shootout against Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old heads to the World Cup this summer as a key figure in England’s midfield and Thomas Tuchel’s vice-captain.
The England boss was extremely complimentary about Rice when explaining his vice-captaincy decision, saying: ‘When Harry was not in camp and didn’t play against Wales, we had the choice and it was a very quick one, and very obvious one, to give it to Declan.
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‘He’s on the highest football IQ, he takes care about formation, he takes care about our structure and the adaptation.
‘I think he has had an outstanding two seasons in his personal career with Arsenal. In the last two years, he has been one of the main players in Europe and in the Champions League.
‘One of the very best midfielders in Europe at the moment, full of confidence and that’s why he’s my vice captain.’
Pearce, who coached Rice during a spell at West Ham, agrees that the midfielder has exceptional qualities, but he could use them to be even more influential in games.
‘With Dec, you think he could win a game on his own, because of his physical prowess, his ability on the ball, and you’re thinking: “Maybe [he could do] a little bit more”,’ Pearce told the Daily Mail.
‘I probably thought the same, back in the day at West Ham, but you don’t say that about many players.’
Pearce added that Rice could even exert his authority over free-kicks, having shown he can take them expertly with his two goals against Real Madrid last season.
‘I was renowned for taking free-kicks and I saw Dec score two wonder free-kicks against Real Madrid,’ said the former England full-back. ‘I’ve barely seen him take one since.
‘Like Dec, I could score from free-kicks and if I were him I’d be saying to my team-mates “Get out of my way. I’m taking this and I’m taking all of them, unless you can do better than me.”’
Roy Keane is another big name who called upon Rice to do more earlier this season, but the Manchester United legend then said he did see the midfielder step up to the plate for Arsenal.
After a defeat to Bournemouth in April, Keane said on Sky Sports: ‘This is where Rice has to show a bit more leadership skills, I know he’s doing his best out on the pitch but he’s got to get hold of people.
‘That was a nervous performance, but if you’re going to play top level sport…it’s ok being nervous, it’s how you deal with it. It’s your decision making and body language from certain players.
‘People like Rice, we’re talking about leadership skills, they’ve got to get a grip of people.’
However, a month later and Keane was saying of the England star: ‘Without a doubt, he has stepped up to the plate. Obviously I have had question marks over Declan – there is no doubting his quality but in terms of his leadership skills…
‘But certainly over the last few weeks, even the reaction after the setback with the Man City game, he has stepped up to another level and that is what you want from your big players. He has certainly done that.’