Well he isn’t.
Declan Rice
- Thread starter roonster09
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Well he isn’t.
Kalvin Phillips a better DM by some measure. Rice just a paint-by-the-numbers DM who doesn’t cover a lot of ground and makes a lot of sideways and back passes. I’m absolutely flummoxed as to why we’d need to pay 90m for a player like that…
And somebody else will be lumbered with the tedious job of pointing out that they don't play the same fecking role. How many times?!
Jeez. Is he less limited for West Ham?
Being used in a more negative way in this England team, as the most defensive midfielder alongside another defensive midfielder. Both played well against Croatia, neither playing well in this game.
Still don't see what the fuss is about.
I rate him but Keane just savaged him 
For the prices being thrown around it'll be an absolute robbery.
This guy is so insanely overrated.. Unbelievable..
They don’t. But that’s whose spot he’d be taking…. So….
I like McSauce more, btw. He’s better on the turn, better technically IMHO.
Please stop blaming the tactics. There's been several chances for him to pass through the lines. He either lacks the ability or confidence to try.
Good player but not a £80m player.
I rate him but Keane just savaged him
Deservedly so. Roy Keane knows what a top midfield player looks like.
That's the key. Half West Ham's nonsensical asking price and you can consider it. Even if he's not great on the ball. However, talk of spending as much on him as we did on Pogba? Madness.
Yes
Kalvin Philips isnt even playing as a DM
Its weird because I think he always plays very well against us. Not just in his busting around, but in his passing and carrying the ball forward etc.
But this just isn't inspiring at all...
But this just isn't inspiring at all...
Rice is a CDM and mctominay is also a CDM. I see you point, totally different positions
we wouldn't
could be the type of opposition. Like when United play against lesser sides
I want a DM that can pass forward and break the lines. This guy cannot.
His defending hasnt been great today either
He's used in a less constricted way in a less negative set-up. Which says a lot about Southgate, really.
That said, there's no getting away from the fact that a midfield of Rice + McTominay/Fred would be extremely one-dimensional, as the Rice + Phillips midfield looks today. Rice is very good at what he does but he should be there to compliment the player beside him. None of those players do that.
The only way he makes sense for us is if we genuinely think someone like Pogba will function deeper beside him and compliment him in that role or if we were signing a completely different midfielder as well. Otherwise....
It’s like playing Steve Bruce in CM.
More sideways passes than Tom Cleverly, looks like a very limited player.
Bruce was more of a goal threat and less scared of forward passes.
More like a good CB playing as a DM
True, harsh on Brucey
Other than being positionally very disciplined, he's not offering anything different or better than what we have. Unless he comes cheap, which is not happening, move on and spend that elsewhere or on other options.
Well, Croatia was playing a high press. He was more invisible than he was good. Phillips WAS good.
Scotland isn’t pressing the CBs and Rice. Happy to watch them pass amongst themselves. Every time it gets to Shaw and Mount and Sterling on the left, good things happen.
The biggest issue for England is that Southgate is so conservative and playing not to lose, rather than playing to win a fecking tournament.
He's pretty boring to watch
I’ve been saying this for 18 months. A ball-playing CB masquerading as a DM.
Him and McTominay in the same team would be ultra boring 
I’m gonna go a step further, modern day David Batty, utterly wank infuriating negative footballer.
Him and McTominay in the same team would be ultra boring
It would be poison. Ditto Fred.
He should have stayed with Ireland. Big mistake switching to this terrible English team. Would have been more appreciated and had way better craic.
semi serious
semi serious
The issue is finding someone who can sit, win the ball and pass a bit (don't have to be Xavi Alonso)
Surely Rice doesn't fit the bill. He is very average at receiving and distributing the ball.
A load of players can do that. Pep often retrains a player from another position to do it.
This guy is a negative as feck footballer, perfect for West Ham.
To be honest, he is like a 20m-30m rated midfielder rather than a 80-90m rated one. I hope we don't go for him, not even if his priced is down to 40m.
First time I have really tried to watch Rice throughout a game. Takes too many touches and passes backwards and sideways.
The only setup I could see him being likely to be worth the insane amount of money is if Pogba resigned and we play 4-4-2 with them as a pairing and Rashford, Bruno, Sancho behind a 9 with the idea being Rice runs his ass off dealing with counters and letting everyone else play. He doesn't pass forward any better than McTominay.
I’ll pass on him. Too slow and lethargic on the ball
Put him alongside peak Paul Scholes, no problem. He'll be disciplined, play to his strengths, bring structure to the side, strengthen the team defensively and make his midfield partner's life easier. A fine, safe if expensive signing.
Play him alongside McTominay, Fred or (as Southgate did) another DM? Football death.
He was better than Phillips today but that isn't saying much. Should have done better, though I'd mostly blame Southgate's grim approach. Rice & Phillips worked against Croatia but come on.
Play him alongside McTominay, Fred or (as Southgate did) another DM? Football death.
He was better than Phillips today but that isn't saying much. Should have done better, though I'd mostly blame Southgate's grim approach. Rice & Phillips worked against Croatia but come on.
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