Ex-teammate calls England midfielder Declan Rice ‘overrated’

James McClean has referred to as Declan Rice ‘overrated’ and says the England midfielder isn’t ‘world class’.

McClean was a teammate of Rice’s for the Republic of Eire earlier than the latter modified his worldwide allegiance to England after incomes three pleasant caps for the Boys in Inexperienced.

Rice has since established himself as an necessary a part of the England aspect beneath Gareth Southgate and has received 52 caps for the Three Lions.

The 25-year-old is at the moment a part of an England crew who’re heavily-fancied to win Euro 2024 this summer season however McClean believes the midfielder’s reward from the English media is ‘excessive’.

McClean questioned Rice’s skill to dictate video games and mentioned the Arsenal midfielder can’t be in comparison with world-class abilities akin to Spain’s Rodri and Germany’s Toni Kroos.

“I believe Declan Rice is overrated. Don’t get me flawed, I believe he’s an excellent footballer, however the best way the English media wax lyrical about him is totally excessive,” he advised RTE Sport.

“For me, he’s not world class. To me world class is somebody who will get in each aspect on this planet. I don’t suppose he does that.

I don’t suppose he will get within the Man Metropolis aspect forward of Rodri. I do know Toni Kross is now retiring, however to me Toni Kroos is world class. [Kroos] dictates the sport, Rodri dictates the sport, I don’t suppose Rice does that.

“He’s not somebody who’s going get on the half flip and play passes ahead. He is superb at what he does.

“They play the identical position, so why can’t they do the identical issues? Should you’re going to provide me this a lot hype and repute, then certainly he ought to be capable of do what they do? That’s get the ball on the half flip, play passes ahead, and dictate the play. I don’t suppose he does that.

“He’s good at what he does. He sees hazard and places out fires, however for the hype that surrounds him, I don’t suppose it’s justified.”

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