Declan Rice made a fine start to life at Arsenal with a disciplined display against Nottingham Forest yesterday.
The Englishman joined the club for a record fee in this transfer window and a lot is expected from him.
Arsenal has added him to their squad to improve their midfield and he is one of the best in the league in the defensive phase of the game.
However, much more is desired when he steps forward and Graeme Souness has been critical about his lack of goals and assists.
The Liverpool legend has now suggested he could be a defender in the future, as he has the right tools for that.
He writes in the Daily Mail:
‘I think one day he may become a centre-half but, right now, with his energy, he is best deployed in midfield. That is a discussion for further down the line in his career.
‘Arsenal have signed him as a midfielder, and that is why Arteta has to get to work on making Rice a more decisive and ruthless player when they’re attacking, one who backs himself to become more of a goal threat.’
Just Arsenal Opinion
Rice is a fine defensive midfielder and does his job well when he steps on the pitch and that is all that really matters.
For now, we need him to keep playing well in the role the manager has asked him to fill in and in the future, he can make that switch if he wants.
Does Declan Rice Defensive qualities worth his attacking liabilities.
Am not sure the juices worth the squeeze, and here is where I get a little nervous, when elements of square pegs being place in round holes again, we have been down this road already.
The Englishman intelligence defensively is undeniable and well established, why do we need to experiment?
His primary responsibilities got to protects the back four.
@24years of Age, Declan Rice should not Confine himself to be a Defensive Midfielder.😕
Steven Gerrard @24yrs in Euro 2004 played as a DM.
But we saw he left that Role to play as a CAM, Attacking midfielder and even behind Fernando Torres in 2008/2009 season.
Even Cesc Fabregas could play as a CAM, Attacking midfielder, False 9 and DM.
DR really has got to prove his mettle. He is supposed to be a Midfield partner to Thomas Partey, but his limitations made Arteta push Partey to Right back.🙁
He has to really Work on himself and Arteta shouldn’t show him any Favouritism.😒