Former Premier League participant James McClean has stirred controversy by calling Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice overrated throughout a reside broadcast on RTE Sport.
McClean, identified for his forthright opinions, didn’t maintain again in his evaluation of the English worldwide.
Declan Rice loved a stellar debut season with Arsenal, enjoying a vital function of their spectacular Premier League title run.
Regardless of the Gunners falling brief to Manchester Metropolis, who claimed their fourth consecutive title, Rice’s contributions have been vital.
The midfielder scored seven targets and offered ten assists in 51 video games throughout all competitions, establishing himself as a key participant in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
James McClean’s harsh critique of Rice
McClean, who beforehand performed alongside Rice within the Republic of Eire nationwide workforce earlier than Rice switched allegiance to England, was essential of the excessive reward the midfielder receives from the English media.
Talking on RTE Sport, he stated:
“I believe Declan Rice is overrated. Don’t get me incorrect, I believe he’s an excellent footballer, however the best way the English media wax lyrical about him is totally excessive.
‘For me, he’s not world class. To me world class is somebody who will get in each facet on the planet. I don’t suppose he does that. I don’t suppose he will get within the Man Metropolis facet forward of Rodri. To me Toni Kroos is world class, He dictates the sport, Rodri dictates the sport, I don’t suppose Declan Rice does that.
“Somebody who will get it on the half flip, performs passes ahead. He’s superb at what he does.”
When questioned in regards to the distinction in play types between Rice, Kroos, and Rodri, McClean insisted that Rice ought to be capable of match the pair provided that he performs in the identical place.
“They play the identical function, so why can’t they do the identical issues?” McClean added. “In the event you’re going to present him this a lot hype and status, certainly he ought to be capable of do what they do. He sees hazard and he places out fires, however for the hype that surrounds him, I don’t suppose it’s justified.”
“I believe Declan Rice could be very overrated” – James McClean doesn’t imagine the hype round England’s midfielder is justified #EURO2024 #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/CGIoXBWWmD
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 19, 2024
Rice’s Huge Cash Transfer to Arsenal
Rice’s high-profile transfer to Arsenal final summer time was one of the vital talked-about transfers. The Gunners secured his companies from West Ham United for a club-record price of £105 million, making him one of the vital costly British gamers in historical past.
This transfer was seen as an announcement of intent by Arsenal, aiming to strengthen their midfield and problem for main trophies.
Regardless of McClean’s harsh criticism, Rice stays a key determine for each Arsenal and the England nationwide workforce.
