Micah Richards has never been shy to admit his love for Arsenal.
The Englishman is a Manchester City ambassador and having played for them for many years back in the day, he supports them more often than not.
But, Richards grew up as an Arsenal fan back in the day, and the pundit often defends the Gunners more than some of the club’s former players do.
On the latest episode of the Rest is Football podcast, however, Richards had a go at Alan Shearer because the Newcastle United legend claimed that an Arsenal player is better than a Manchester City star.
Micah Richards hits back at Alan Shearer’s ‘ridiculous’ Declan Rice claim
Arsenal star Declan Rice is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
The Englishman was amazing for West Ham United for many years, and his performances since he moved to the Emirates Stadium have been sensational as well.
Rice is definitely up there in the conversation of the best defensive midfielders in the world, but there is one player who may just be slightly ahead of him.
Manchester City star Rodri is widely accepted as the best number six in world football, and the Spaniard is in contention to win the Ballon d’Or too.
On the Rest is Football podcast, Richards, Shearer and Gary Lineker had their say on Rodri, and all of them believe he deserves the Ballon d’Or for his performances this year.
Then, when Shearer joked about Rice being in the conversation too, Richards brought back a statement the Newcastle legend previously made and branded it as ‘ridiculous’.
Richards said: “I love Declan Rice more than anything. But when you compare him to Rodri, so soon as well, Alan…”
Lineker then said: “Hang on a minute, Micah, you love Declan Rice more than anything?”
Richards replied: “Well, there’s a couple of things I love more than Declan Rice, but I mean, in terms of football players, I just think his attitude, the way he plays, like I just love him, he’s all-action.
“But it was Alan’s ridiculous comment saying: ‘He’s miles better than Rodri.’ I wouldn’t mind if he said: ‘Well, I prefer Declan Rice.’
“He’s miles better than Rodri? It was a ridiculous statement. So I just like to pull him up on it, you know, from time to time.”
Shearer then defended himself by saying: “I think you have to realise when I said it.”
Listen to The Rest Is Football wherever you get your podcasts.
READ MORE: Arsenal star Declan Rice explains why he is ‘different’ to Manchester City’s Rodri
Rice vs Rodri comparison is so unfair for one reason
Rodri and Rice are definitely in a league of their own when you compare them to other defensive midfielders in the Premier League, but there is one problem.
The Arsenal man barely played as a number six in the 2023/24 season, and each of his three appearances this term has been in a box-to-box role too.
That’s why comparisons with Rodri are really unfair at the moment, but things are expected to change in the coming months.
Once Mikel Merino returns from his injury, Rice is expected to be used as a number six. That’s when we can compare his numbers to that of Rodri and see who’s actually better.
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