Declan Rice: The Premier League’s Complete Midfielder

omidbasir- Since his record-setting transfer from West Ham in 2023, Declan Rice has emerged as the pivotal figure in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad. His impact in north London has been significant, revitalizing the midfield with his adeptness at disrupting opposition play and propelling his team forward. Additionally, his proficiency in set-piece situations has become a vital asset for the Gunners, contributing a consistent flow of assists that bolster their Premier League title aspirations this season.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes that Rice has now reached a level where he stands as the benchmark for midfielders across Europe. In an interview with BestBettingSites.co.uk, Murphy expressed his admiration unequivocally.

“Yes, Declan Rice is the most complete midfielder in Europe at the moment,” Murphy asserted. “He possesses remarkable versatility, enabling him to excel in nearly all aspects of the game.”

Murphy noted that Rice is a “blessed footballer” combining physical endurance and strength with the ability to use both feet effectively. “I often watch him and think he’s the type of midfielder you’d dread facing,” Murphy shared. “His approach to pressing is relentless; when he’s closing in on you, you know you’re in for a challenge. He executes this with incredible discipline and pace.”

Despite Rice’s dominance in the midfield, Murphy contends that he has yet to reach the echelon of legends like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who defined their respective eras with their extraordinary performances.

Gerrard is regarded as Liverpool’s greatest modern player, a captain who led his team to Champions League glory in 2005 and an FA Cup triumph in 2006. Conversely, Lampard remains Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer, having clinched three Premier League titles and the Champions League by frequently contributing crucial goals.

Murphy believes that for Rice to be compared with such illustrious figures, he must enhance his ability to influence pivotal matches in world football.

“For Declan Rice to be spoken of in the same breath as Gerrard or Lampard, he needs to win significant titles and create more magical moments, similar to those he showcased against Real Madrid,” he explained. “When recalling the legacies of Liverpool and Chelsea, and the exploits of Lampard and Gerrard, one can easily pinpoint defining moments—crucial goals in big games. The best players consistently deliver those magical moments that propel their teams to victory.”

Rice’s development has afforded Arsenal a unique advantage; he effectively embodies two world-class players in one. Murphy observed that Rice’s expansive skill set suggests that managers would benefit from having two players of his caliber on the pitch—one to shield the defense and another to advance the team’s attack.

This evolution mirrors that of Gerrard, who initially emerged as a robust defensive midfielder before transitioning to a dynamic, match-winning presence. Murphy sees Rice on a similar path, especially with the added freedom provided by the arrival of Martin Zubimendi.

“In a way, it’s a complex situation because he could easily serve as both England’s premier holding midfielder and top attacking midfielder. Ideally, one would want two of him,” Murphy remarked. “We faced a similar dilemma with Gerrard. Early in his Liverpool career, discussions revolved around him being a holding midfielder—distributing the ball while fulfilling defensive responsibilities. However, he later evolved into a more attack-oriented player, particularly in the latter part of his career. I believe Declan is attempting to reach that level now.”

Finally, Murphy posits that the crucial aspect of Rice’s progression lies in enhancing his contributions in the attacking third. While Rice has been a creative force during set pieces, Murphy asserts that a player of his technical caliber should be scoring more goals from open play, reminiscent of Lampard’s prolific scoring rate.

“I think he personally aspires to contribute more goals and assists because he recognizes his potential,” Murphy said. “That’s an area he’s actively working to improve, as we know he possesses the technical ability to score, and he should be netting more given his skill set.”