Everyone knows that Arsenal’s Declan Rice is at the top of his game right now, yet many overlook one of his greatest strengths.
Rice has everything a top midfielder requires, from strength and defensive nous to playmaking and goalscoring talent.
Arsenal know how integral the 26-year-old is to their hopes of winning the Premier League title, making it all the more celebratory that, availability-wise, the Englishman is so reliable.
Rice isn’t just far from being injury-prone, but also guarantees availability in another way, a way that is so often overlooked.
Fill the blanks: The year is 2030 and Declan Rice is now worth £____.
Declan Rice’s discipline in midfield deserves more praise
In 2024, Gary Neville issued some surprising criticism of Rice, sharing his thoughts that the Arsenal midfielder was unable to play the number six role with ‘real discipline’.
The pundit’s comments have aged like milk, as if there’s one thing Rice guarantees, it’s discipline of the highest order.
Playing a combative role against some of the world’s best playmakers week in week out is a test for every Premier League midfielder’s discipline, but Rice passes the challenge with flying colours.
This season, the England international has collected just one yellow card in 19 league appearances, rarely drawing the referee’s attention to himself.
Added to that, it’s important to note that Rice rarely commits fouls, averaging just 0.7 per game in the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore.
The 2023 signing may dazzle with his goalscoring, playmaking and duelling attributes, but it’s his level of professionalism in midfield that’s truly taken him to the next level.
Rice’s discipline sets him apart from Moises Caicedo
When discussions are had over what separates a class midfielder from a world-class one, talk often simmers down to discipline.
It’s been a fascinating subject to follow in the Premier League this term, given the comparisons made between Rice and Moises Caicedo.
Was there a better replacement for Granit Xhaka at Arsenal than Declan Rice? If so, let us know!
Rice or Caicedo has been asked multiple times, and while the Chelsea midfielder is undoubtedly one of the best, he’s nowhere near the Arsenal star’s level for the reason of his game management.
Already this season, Caicedo has collected five yellow cards and one red, ironically being sent off against Arsenal.
There are few midfielders able to influence games in defensive midfield like Rice does without being on the referee’s watchlist, something that sets the £105m man apart from his peers.
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