Declan Rice has been labelled ‘overrated’ by former Ireland teammate James McClean. The Arsenal midfielder switched international allegiances in 2019, having only played in friendlies for the Republic of Ireland despite making three appearances, and has since gone on to become one of the most revered in his position in the world.
Last summer, he moved for a club record of over £100million, making the short transfer across London from West Ham, and was central to the improvement of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta yet again last season. He is now attempting to put the Euro 2020 (played in 2021) demons behind him after being part of the England squad that lost to penalties in a dramatic Wembley final.
However, having anchored Gareth Southgate’s side during the opening group stage game against Serbia, McClean still expects more. “Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a very good footballer, but the way the English media wax lyrical about him is completely over the top,” the former Sunderland, Wigan, Stoke, and West Brom winger said on RTE coverage of the Euros.
Comparing him to Germany’s Jamal Musiala, an attacking player with two goals in two games so far this tournament, McClean feels that Rice doesn’t justify the hype and that he is ‘very overrated. “For me, he’s not world-class,” the Derry-born man continued.
“To me, world-class is someone who gets in every side in the world. I don’t think he does that. I don’t think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri.
“I know Toni Kross is now retiring, but to me Toni Kroos is world-class. He dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game, I don’t think Declan Rice does that. He’s not someone who is going get on the half turn and play passes forward. He is very good at what he does.”
McClean played in each of Rice’s three Ireland matches and has since moved to League Two with Welsh side Wrexham. He has played 104 times for his country in 12 years and was last involved in the November internationals as a left-back. Rice is well on his way, playing even more than that for England now, having already made 52 appearances since March 2019.
He will be hoping to increase that number and bring success at major tournaments along with it. But to get into McClean’s good books, there is still a way to go. “They play the same role, so why can’t they do the same things?” he said, comparing Rice to Rodri and Kross.
“If you’re going to give me this much hype and reputation, then surely he should be able to do what they do? That’s get the ball on the half turn, play passes forward, and dictate the play. I don’t think he does that.
“He’s good at what he does. He sees danger and puts out fires, but for the hype that surrounds him, I don’t think it’s justified.” Kevin Doyle, also analysing Rice, then added, “He’s a poor man’s Roy Keane, I suppose. A similar style of play without his intensity and aggression.”
