Graeme Souness On Declan Rice: Final Third Needs Refinement

Laila Abdi

5 min read

Post on May 03, 2025

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Souness's Critique: A Lack of Final Third Creativity?

Souness's comments haven't been overtly harsh, but they highlight a key area for development. He hasn't outright criticized Rice's performance, but rather pointed towards a lack of consistent creativity and decisive actions in the final third. While praising his defensive capabilities, Souness subtly implied that Rice's attacking contributions are not yet at the level expected of a top-tier midfielder at a club like Arsenal, or for the England national team. Although specific quotes may vary depending on the interview, the underlying message remains consistent.

• Souness's concerns about Rice's passing accuracy in the final third: Souness suggests that while Rice's passing is generally excellent in midfield, his accuracy and decision-making falter when approaching the opposition's penalty area. The pressure of the final third seems to affect his usual composure.
• Criticism of decision-making in advanced areas of the pitch: He's noted a tendency for Rice to opt for safer, less ambitious passes when opportunities to create scoring chances arise. Sometimes a more decisive, riskier pass is needed to unlock a defence.
• Comparison with other top midfielders in terms of attacking output: Souness implicitly compares Rice to other elite midfielders who contribute significantly more in terms of goals, assists, and key passes. The implication is that to reach that elite level, Rice needs to improve his final third impact.
• Mention of any statistical evidence supporting Souness's claims (e.g., key passes, assists, shots on target): While precise statistics haven't been explicitly cited by Souness, a comparison of Rice's key pass, assist, and shot-on-target numbers with those of players like Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva highlights the area needing attention.

Rice's Strengths: A Solid Foundation for Improvement

Despite the critique, it's crucial to acknowledge Rice's undisputed strengths as a defensive midfielder. These strengths provide a robust foundation upon which to build further attacking prowess.

• Exceptional tackling and interception abilities: Rice is renowned for his ability to win back possession, consistently disrupting opposition attacks.
• Strong physical presence and defensive awareness: His strength and reading of the game allow him to dominate midfield battles and make timely interceptions.
• Excellent ball recovery and distribution in midfield: He's a master at winning the ball and quickly distributing it effectively to launch attacks.
• Leadership qualities and tactical discipline: Rice's leadership on the pitch and adherence to tactical instructions are invaluable assets to any team.

Potential Areas for Improvement: Developing Rice's Attacking Prowess

Addressing the weaknesses identified by Souness requires a focused approach to training and tactical adjustments.

• Improved shooting practice to increase accuracy and power: Dedicated sessions focused on shooting technique, power, and accuracy from various distances within the final third are essential.
• Focused training on weight of pass and creative passing techniques: Working on the precision and creativity of his passes, including through balls and weighted passes to create scoring opportunities, is crucial.
• Tactical work on finding pockets of space in the final third and making late runs into the box: Strategic positioning and timed runs into the box to receive passes and create goal-scoring chances need to be honed.
• Mentorship from experienced attacking midfielders: Learning from experienced players who excel in the final third could prove invaluable in accelerating Rice's development.

The Long-Term Perspective: Rice's Potential and Future Development

The long-term outlook for Declan Rice is incredibly positive. Addressing the weaknesses in his final third play will not only benefit his club, Arsenal, and the England national team, but will also shape his career trajectory.

• Long-term career trajectory and potential to become a more complete midfielder: With consistent improvement in his attacking game, Rice has the potential to become one of the world's best all-around midfielders.
• Impact of improved final third play on Arsenal's/England's attacking capabilities: A more prolific Rice would significantly enhance the attacking capabilities of both his club and country.
• Comparison to similar players who have improved their attacking game: Many midfielders have successfully transformed their games by focusing on improving their attacking output. Rice can learn from their journeys.
• The importance of patience and continuous development in professional football: It's important to remember that developing a player’s overall skillset takes time and dedication.

Conclusion:

Graeme Souness's assessment of Declan Rice's final third play serves as a constructive critique, highlighting a clear path for improvement. While his defensive abilities are exceptional, refining his attacking prowess will elevate him to the next level. By focusing on specific areas like shooting, passing, tactical awareness, and seeking mentorship, Rice can become a truly elite all-around midfielder. What are your thoughts on Graeme Souness's assessment of Declan Rice's final third play? Share your opinions and predictions for Rice's future development in the comments below. Let's discuss Declan Rice's potential to become a truly elite all-around midfielder, and how he can further enhance his already impressive skillset.