England’s quest for silverware remains elusive, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of the Germany Euro 2024. After that loss, it seems like just about every football fan who watched England’s journey to the final has shared their thoughts on what the English technical bench could have done better.
The debate over Rice’s role in the England team has resurfaced, and we Gooners are quite familiar with it, given that we’ve debated which role he’s best suited to.
Although Rice excels as a No. 6, his true power emerges when he has the freedom to roam forward. His ability to attack is truly intimidating for opponents. In a free role, the former Hammer demonstrated impressive skills as a ball carrier, which not only benefits the team’s attacking options but also highlights his technical ability.
Most of us Gooners really liked him as a box-to-box midfielder (even though we know he’s also excellent as a 6). Obviously, if Gareth Southgate wanted to maximise Rice’s potential, he could have tried using him as a box-to-box midfielder and even had him take corners.
However, he did portray him as a 6 who would occasionally drop deep and join the backline instead of being free to move forward. He was awesome in the role, but it kind of held him back from having a bigger impact in the future. That’s why Alan Pardew’s comments about Rice’s England role totally make sense. The former Crystal Palace manager pointed out Rice’s decreased effectiveness, possibly in comparison to his influential performances for Arsenal, and how it hinders the England midfield.
Pardew told talkSPORT: “I have an issue with Declan Rice in this English team anyway that he sits too deep, so he can’t engage the midfield. We kind of lose the midfield player covering in front of the centre-backs. And they they did it again last night.”
Going forward, England could really benefit from utilising Rice in a different role as a box-to-box midfielder. This could potentially be a game-changer for the Three Lions, increasing their chances of scoring more goals and winning trophies. It’s a shame to see such a talented midfielder restricted to a deeper role. Rice is the kind of player you want to build a team around. Hopefully, in the next big competition, England’s technical bench will recognise his potential.
Have the Euros finally confirmed that Rice should be deployed as a Number 8 by Arsenal this season?
Jack Anderson
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in short ‘yes’
though I think already settled at #8 for Arsenal before the Euro’s, but further evidence #8 gets the best out of Rice
in the Arteta 4-3-3 possession based progressive football system that is
Southgate football is generally 4-2-3-1 cautious regressive football, Rice was not alone not performing to potential in that system
thankfully Arsenal play a very different brand of football and Rice at #8 benefits both player and team
I think what’s underappreciated about him at 8 is the way he helps with the forward pressing and winning the ball back quickly when we lose it. He also has the energy to get back quickly and help in front of the defence when needed.
He’s limited at 6, and it showed when he played there last season – great defensively, would be great in that role for a defensive/counter attack team imo, but we don’t want to be that.
I agree.
He can do the defensive work at #6 but not the quick passing that breake the press. Jorginho excels at that but is limited in other areas. Partey is the best all round fit for that role.
Rice is a defensive player in my opinion. I watched him in the Euros and he is not really a Partey type. If we can get a more solid Box to box attacking midfielder next to him then we will be solid as hell.
I really felt do secure watching him playing defensive for England in the Euros. What an intelligent midfield general he seemed. The way he reads defensive moments just blee my mind. His tackles were very clean and intelligent..
Lets get Partey type Player to play next to him and we will be even more solid..
Absolutely agree. Rice may be a serviceable and reliable #8 but he has limited experience in this role. He is one of those players who can adapt to almost any position with at least decent results but we need to use players in the positions they are best in (especially in our short-term). We very much should go after a solid box-to-box if at all possible.
The Euros suggest that Rice is a solid player at either 6 or 8 but is not yet at the level of the very best in either role.
Probably best at 6 currently although improving as an 8.
i can barely believe some of these comments based on Southgate shackled double-pivot #6, no scope for Rice to shine in that environment
compare and contrast to the Arsenal when moved to #8 in the second half of the season both Rice and the team were outstanding
absolutely no doubt Arteta sees Rice as our box-to-box #8 next season, and Arsenal are all the better for it
of course we need a re-build at #6 for Partey and Jorginho moving on in next 2 years, that starts this window, Merino at minimum but hopefully Edu has saved the pennies for Guimeares as the low block busting trio with Rice and Odegaard