Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher are split on Declan Rice’s best role for Arsenal and England.
Rice initially joined Arsenal from West Ham as a holding midfielder but in his first season under Mikel Arteta, the 25-year-old scored seven Premier League goals after given more licence to push forward.
During England’s Euro 2024 campaign, Rice took on a deeper role but Neville believes the Arsenal midfielder is not as good as Manchester City’s Rodri in that position.
Carragher, however, has called Neville’s claim ‘harsh’ and believes Rice’s offers a more complete package than the Manchester City and Spain midfielder.
Asked by Neville if Rice is capable of playing in a deep-lying midfield role, Scholes said on The Overlap: ‘Yes. I think that’s his best role.’
Neville followed up with: ‘I don’t think he can get the ball off the back four in the way in which a Rodri can.’
Carragher replied: ‘That is so harsh, that is so harsh.’
Scholes said: ‘I think that’s his biggest strength.’
Neville then said: ‘I think he’s better in that left channel for Arsenal with Jorginho sitting.
‘I’m not saying he’s not a competent player in No.6, I’m talking about in a tournament where we’re talking about he’ll get on the ball, get us playing, keep us moving, get control of the game, I’m not sure that’s what he does.’
Scholes said: ‘One thing he does is take too many touches.’
Neville then asked: ‘But that’s my point – does he know how to receive the ball on the half turn and where to get the ball?’
Scholes replied. ‘I think so, yeah.
‘The thing when you talk about a midfield player running on to the ball, then you’re thinking he’s got to be scoring you 15, 20 goals a season – I can’t see Declan Rice doing that.’
Keane said: ‘I think he’s got a goal in him, [15-20 goals] is a lot for any midfielder.’