Souness: Declan Rice Needs Final Third Improvement For World-Class Status

Viktoria Ivanova

4 min read

Post on May 03, 2025

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Souness's Criticism: A Fair Assessment?

Graeme Souness, known for his uncompromising style and insightful analysis, has voiced his opinion that Declan Rice needs to significantly improve his attacking output to be considered among the world's elite. Souness's criticism centers around Rice's perceived lack of consistent attacking contributions. He points to missed opportunities, an occasional hesitancy in the final third, and a need for more creative passing and impactful shots.

Examples from recent matches support Souness's observations. While Rice excels at breaking up play and initiating counter-attacks, his end product in the attacking third hasn't always matched his defensive prowess. He's occasionally guilty of over-playing in dangerous areas or failing to execute decisive passes.

Is the criticism justified? To a degree, yes. Statistically, compared to other top midfielders, his key passes, assists, and goalscoring numbers are lower. However, it's crucial to acknowledge Rice's strengths.

• Strengths: Exceptional tackling ability, high interception rate, consistent ball recovery, strong leadership qualities.
• Weaknesses: Passing accuracy in the final third can be inconsistent, shot accuracy needs improvement, creative contributions require enhancement.
• Comparison: Comparing Rice's final third statistics to midfield maestros like Kevin De Bruyne or Bruno Fernandes highlights the disparity in attacking output. These players consistently create chances and contribute significantly to goals.

Areas for Improvement: Enhancing Rice's Offensive Game

Transforming Rice from a formidable defensive midfielder into a truly world-class, box-to-box midfielder requires targeted improvements in his final third play. Specific areas demanding attention include:

• Improved shooting technique and accuracy: Focused training on shooting technique, power, and placement could significantly improve his goalscoring ability.
• Enhanced passing range and precision in the final third: Drills focusing on weighted passes, through balls, and quick, incisive passing in tight spaces would increase his creative impact.
• Increased decision-making speed in attacking situations: Sharpening his ability to identify and exploit openings quickly is crucial for maximizing his attacking potential.
• Developing better creative passing skills: Working on curlers, chipped passes, and other creative passing techniques will make him a more unpredictable and dangerous attacker.
• Improving his ability to make late runs into the box: Timing his runs to exploit defensive gaps and arrive unmarked in scoring positions is another vital aspect.

Tactical adjustments could also be beneficial. Playing Rice in a slightly more advanced role, or instructing him to make more frequent forward runs, could increase his involvement in the attacking phase of the game.

The Potential for Growth: Rice's Ceiling as a Player

At a relatively young age, Declan Rice has ample time to refine his offensive game. He’s shown glimpses of his attacking potential – moments of brilliance that hint at a higher ceiling. Improving his final third contributions could dramatically alter his game, transforming him from an excellent defensive midfielder into a complete, box-to-box player.

His journey could mirror that of other players who have successfully improved their attacking capabilities during their careers. Players like N’Golo Kanté have shown how dedication and focused training can lead to surprising offensive development.

• Examples of improved attacking performances: Though infrequent, Rice has demonstrated moments of exceptional attacking play, showcasing his potential for improvement.
• Potential impact on his club and national team: An improved final third game would make him an even more valuable asset for both his club and the England national team.
• The possibility of evolving into a box-to-box midfielder: This transition is entirely achievable with targeted training and tactical adjustments.

Conclusion: Can Declan Rice Reach World-Class Status?

The question of whether Declan Rice can reach world-class status hinges on his ability to enhance his attacking contributions. While his defensive prowess is undeniable, consistent excellence in the final third is the missing ingredient for achieving elite status. His youth and already impressive skillset provide a strong foundation for significant improvement.

The arguments for his ascension are based on his potential, age, and demonstrable talent. The arguments against center on his current relative lack of final third output. Addressing this by improving his shooting, passing, and decision-making in attacking positions will undoubtedly propel him towards world-class status.

Souness's Challenge: Declan Rice's Path to World-Class

Declan Rice possesses exceptional talent; however, reaching world-class status requires a significant improvement in his final third play. Key areas for development include shooting accuracy, passing precision, and quicker decision-making in attacking situations. The potential impact of these improvements on his career is immense, potentially transforming him into one of the most complete midfielders in the world. Will Declan Rice become a world-class midfielder? Let us know your thoughts on how he can improve his game in the final third!