Arsenal star Declan Rice has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, but has been criticised for his performances at Euro 2024.
Despite this, he has helped England reach the final of the tournament, and they will come up against Spain in the final in Berlin.
This will see Rice lock horns with Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who has been outstanding for club and country in the last few years.
Comparisons have been made between the two, with many claiming that the Arsenal star is inferior to the Spaniard given the difference in their ability on the ball, but Rice has now explained why he is a different style of midfielder to Rodri.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice explains why he is different to Man City star Rodri
Speaking in a press conference, Rice emphasised that he and Rodri thrive in different aspects of their game to shut down comparisons.
“We obviously know Rodri is a top player. I think I did an interview with Arsenal just before the end of the season and I spoke really highly of him,” he stated.
“I think we are two completely different players. We are players that constantly get compared to each other, and I think that’s normal now. But I think we are two completely different players, in my opinion, and I am sure he would say the same thing.”
How Declan Rice differs from Rodri ahead of Euro 2024 final face-off
Rice has shown over the course of the season, for both England and Arsenal, that he is best suited in a more advanced role, rather than one at the base of midfield.
The Englishman’s strengths come in his ball-winning ability and his supreme physicality, which also helped him record his best-ever season in terms of goal and assist output.
His best performances came in a number eight role, with Jorginho behind him, and this alone shows the difference between Rice and Rodri.
Rodri thrives at the base of midfield, dictating the play with his passing ability. Whilst he does not have the mobility of Rice to be able to roam, he does find himself on the scoresheet occasionally, but his key strengths are in his volume passing and distribution from deep, rather than as a tackler.
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