Graeme Souness: Declan Rice Needs Final Third Improvement To Reach World-Class Status

Laila Abdi

4 min read

Post on May 02, 2025

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Souness's Criticism: A Lack of Creativity in the Final Third

Graeme Souness, a renowned figure in football management and punditry, has voiced his concerns regarding Declan Rice's attacking output. While acknowledging his defensive capabilities, Souness believes a lack of consistent creativity and goal threat in the final third prevents Rice from joining the ranks of the world's best midfielders.

• Lack of incisive passing in the final third: Souness argues that Rice's passing accuracy and range often falter when he approaches the opposition penalty area. Key passes that unlock defenses are less frequent than expected from a player of his caliber.
• Limited goal-scoring threat: While Rice possesses a powerful shot, his goalscoring record doesn't reflect the potential of a player of his stature. More consistent shots on target and increased goals are needed.
• Need for improved creative vision and decision-making: In the final third, quicker decision-making and more adventurous passes are vital. Rice sometimes opts for the safe option, hindering the team's attacking fluidity.
• Comparison to other elite midfielders: Souness's critique often positions Rice against midfield maestros like Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes, who consistently contribute goals and assists. These players exhibit a higher level of final-third creativity and influence on matches.

Analyzing Rice's Strengths and Weaknesses

Declan Rice possesses several undeniable strengths that make him a vital asset to any team. His defensive capabilities are exceptional.

• Excellent defensive midfield contributions: Rice excels at winning back possession, breaking up play, and shielding the defense. His tackling is consistently strong and effective.
• Strong tackling and ball-winning ability: His physical presence and reading of the game allows him to intercept passes and regain possession with remarkable consistency.
• Impressive physical attributes and work rate: Rice possesses incredible stamina and covers a vast amount of ground during matches. His tireless work ethic is a key asset.
• Leadership qualities on the pitch: He displays strong leadership qualities, organizing his teammates and inspiring confidence.

However, to reach the pinnacle, focusing on his weaknesses is crucial:

• Improve passing accuracy and range in advanced positions: More precise and ambitious passes in the final third are needed to unlock defensive lines.
• Develop more attacking runs and shots on goal: Increasing the frequency of runs into the box and taking more shots on target will enhance his goal-scoring threat.
• Enhance creativity and vision to unlock defenses: Rice needs to improve his ability to see and execute creative passes that split open the opposition defense.
• Work on set-piece delivery: Improving his set-piece delivery could provide another avenue for goal contributions.

Tactical Adjustments and Training Needed for Improvement

To address these weaknesses, both tactical and training adjustments are necessary.

• Specific training exercises to improve passing accuracy and range: Focused drills on weighted passes, long balls, and through balls can improve his accuracy and range.
• Dribbling and ball control drills to enhance attacking play: Improving dribbling skills will give him more options in tight spaces near the box.
• Shooting practice to increase goal-scoring threat: Regular shooting practice, focusing on accuracy and power, is essential to become a more consistent goal threat.
• Mentorship from experienced players or coaches: Learning from experienced players who excel in the final third could significantly accelerate his development. A change of midfield partnership could also benefit his development, placing him in a position where he's able to unleash his potential further. Playing in a more advanced midfield role could also allow him more opportunities in the final third.

The Potential for Declan Rice to Reach World-Class Status

Despite Souness's critique, Declan Rice possesses immense potential. His youth is a significant factor, offering ample time for improvement. Consistent focus on his weaknesses and the implementation of the suggestions above could transform his game. Many players have overcome similar shortcomings and risen to the highest levels of the game. A slight positional change might be all it takes to unlock his attacking prowess.

Conclusion:

Graeme Souness's assessment of Declan Rice highlights the need for significant improvement in his final-third play. To achieve world-class status, Rice needs to focus on enhancing his passing accuracy, improving his shooting, developing his creativity, and making better decisions in advanced areas. However, his immense potential remains undeniable. With dedicated work and the right support, Declan Rice can overcome these challenges and become one of the best midfielders in the world. Do you agree with Graeme Souness's assessment of Declan Rice? Share your thoughts on whether Rice can overcome these challenges and become a world-class midfielder in the comments below! Let's discuss Declan Rice's future and his potential to reach the pinnacle of the game.