Declan Rice
Declan Rice has joined Arsenal and is often compared to Rodri of Manchester City. Despite being rivals in the Premier League, Rice himself has acknowledged that Rodri is a superior player. Both players were speculated to potentially play together as City attempted to bring Rice into their team alongside Rodri. This speculation was intensified due to Arsenal and Manchester City’s competition for the Premier League title last season, where Rice and Rodri were often juxtaposed as rivals in their midfield roles.
Rodri recently won the Ballon d’Or in a controversial decision over Vinicius Junior and has discussed his development as a midfielder. Unfortunately, fans anticipating future clashes between Rice and Rodri will be disappointed, as Rodri is sidelined for the entire season due to an injury sustained in a match against Arsenal.
Declan Rice said, “With Rodri, he was born in Spain, he’s always been a natural No 6. You can just tell by the way he plays that he’s worked under Pep (Guardiola) for so long. He’s a lot more structured than I am. I’d say I’m a lot more off-the-cuff. But in terms of the way I play, I feel like… being free a little bit more.”
Rodri said, “Tonight, football won. I was a traditional midfielder but I knew I needed to be better in the final third that’s why I have improved there. That is the modern holding midfield role, you have to be like a striker because you play in the frontal area. I try to be the best version of myself every day. I try to be a leader and learn every day from the best. I am just a normal guy, you don’t have to be crazy. I would like to thank God. I am just trying to take care of myself after my injury, spend time with my family, rest a little bit.”
