Declan Rice: All Hands On Dec

[A_G]

He, singlehandedly, transformed this club from top 4 to trophy challengers.

Tbf we were title challengers before he came. But he definitely made us more solid in the biggest games.

 

[Xln]

Tbf we were title challengers before he came. But he definitely made us more solid in the biggest games.

Just by vibes, 22/23 was awesome because we came in with new energy and football style. We were walking over teams for fun, playing much better football going forward than now. But that season felt like we were naive.

It's all vibes for me anyway, Rice is Kante 2.0 to me.

 

[blaze_of_glory]

He has, like, three haters?

Two just dislike him overall and one is the guy who posits Rice's not a six.

Yeah I'm not talking about haters though. Just people saying he's better as an 8 and that we did better with a player like Partey or Jorghino at 6 with Rice ahead of them. I even recall talk in the punditry class about him playing 6 for England and how that was limiting them and him. I dunno maybe I'm just misremembering.

Regardless I think he's elite at both positions. He's had tons of MOTM games at 8 and is a wall at 6. Complete midfielder.

 

[Dokaka]

Tbf we were title challengers before he came. But he definitely made us more solid in the biggest games.

Yeah I think his impact against top teams has been far more tangible than anything else. There's a reason why you've looked competitive against literally everyone since he joined, and him getting MOTM in many of those games also speaks volumes.

You didn't need him to get points against the bottom half, but he's a huge reason why you've been in the top 4 in Europe two seasons in a row and the fact your record improved immensely against the top teams in the league.

I get not being a fan of his style of play, it's subjective at the end of the day, but the people trying to claim he hasn't been impactful and important in those types of games are just.. yeah, I don't know. It's like their decision was made before even opening their eyes.

 

[Trilly]

So what has changed from last couple seasons when the consensus here seemed to be that he wasn't a good 6 for us? There used to be a lot of complaints that he couldn't process the ball well enough from deep. Is it just MLS giving us a new option at 8 that makes it work?

Remember how Wenger used to play guys in different positions to teach them different skills and it would sound like some hippy sh*t but it seemed to work? Think the time at eight has helped him, he’s a lot more composed in possession imo and while he’ll never be Rodri or Vitinha he does look to progress the ball more.

Also yes, a CM like Lewis Skelly AND a LB like Cala pretty much mitigate his progressive weaknesses too. I think Rice at 6 will be different this time around but let’s see how it goes.

 

[Trilly]

I guess he should consider cheating on her at 3AM before a game with a prostitute to gain some respect or something.

I mean…we do need a few more bad boys.

 

[El Duderino]

Yeah I'm not talking about haters though. Just people saying he's better as an 8 and that we did better with a player like Partey or Jorghino at 6 with Rice ahead of them. I even recall talk in the punditry class about him playing 6 for England and how that was limiting them and him. I dunno maybe I'm just misremembering.

Regardless I think he's elite at both positions. He's had tons of MOTM games at 8 and is a wall at 6. Complete midfielder.

Oh, than it's just one guy.

Not to say he's not done well at left 8, mind. But he's currently better at 6 and would be Eben better at right 8 than he is left.

 

[Entropics]

So what has changed from last couple seasons when the consensus here seemed to be that he wasn't a good 6 for us? There used to be a lot of complaints that he couldn't process the ball well enough from deep. Is it just MLS giving us a new option at 8 that makes it work?

Nothing really, players tired and near a WC means the standard of football has declined to a point his limitations in that position are, for now, less relevant.

Atleti did enough to show Rice at 6 is not the start of a new era or something like that, it was more about getting the Zubimendi problem out of the way really.

 

[blaze_of_glory]

Nothing really, players tired and near a WC means the standard of football has declined to a point his limitations in that position are, for now, less relevant.

Atleti did enough to show Rice at 6 is not the start of a new era or something like that, it was more about getting the Zubimendi problem out of the way really.

 

[Geofranco]

Part of me hopes he does, not gonna lie. He stayed for longer than he had to out of loyalty to the club and even when some of our **** fans base decided to boo him on his return he never showed anything but respect and love for the club that gave him a platform. I'm so ****ing jaded with football in a lot of ways, especially with how my club is run, but Dec is one of those rare guys who's just a good dude through and through.

His biggest controversies are *checks notes* caring too much, saying yes to interview requests from broadcasters like anyone would, being a bit goofy at times and not being the perfect player in all aspects of the game. I mean for **** sake he chose a project over guaranteed silverware because he believed in himself enough to be the difference.

Oh, and I guess he's also still with his long-term girlfriend from his school days who many have deemed "too ugly" for him, I guess he should consider cheating on her at 3AM before a game with a prostitute to gain some respect or something.

I like Rice, sometimes I'm harsh on him because of my issue white savior tropes and some fans on reddit wanting to give him the armband so badly lol. I also prefer mids that are creative and good in tight spaces, but he has everything else on and off the ball. He usually also plays his best against the best competition and I like that he actually comes off as a genuinely good guy, same with Saka. You can be a competitor, be ambitious and be a winner without being one of those dark triad dudes like Cristiano lol.

 

[Geofranco]

Yeah I'm not talking about haters though. Just people saying he's better as an 8 and that we did better with a player like Partey or Jorghino at 6 with Rice ahead of them. I even recall talk in the punditry class about him playing 6 for England and how that was limiting them and him. I dunno maybe I'm just misremembering.

Regardless I think he's elite at both positions. He's had tons of MOTM games at 8 and is a wall at 6. Complete midfielder.

He could also have improved. Talented, highly competitive, intelligent and hardworking players have the ability to improve their weaknesses. We saw how Messi randomly decided to make himself the best free kick goal scorer in football.

 

[DJ_Markstar]

He could also have improved. Talented, highly competitive, intelligent and hardworking players have the ability to improve their weaknesses. We saw how Messi randomly decided to make himself the best free kick goal scorer in football.

Henry had that season as well where he went from "hey this guy's pretty good" to unquestionably the best in the EPL. He looked quicker, stronger, technique improved etc. I think it was his second season here but its so long ago I can't remember.

I guess sooner or later with these inevitable guys it all just clicks.

 

[Mitch]

 

[viktor]

overall performance in all comps in 2026 should be declan rice number 1 not bruno penandez lol

 

[2Smokeyy]

I rate Bruno but I think Rice should have been picked tbh.

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

 

[MikelHadADream]

Bruno Fernandes won footballer of the year lmao.

The guys needs to use all of this type of stuff as added motivation.

Absolute joke.

 

[Trilly]

V.good point, you kind of have a relatively fixed number of votes per club for these things.

An unbiased top3/4 will probably have at least two Arsenal players. So someone who’s also a consensus top3 pick like Bruno will end up sneaking to the first in.

If we win the league I think he should get it. No idea when voting closes though.

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

V.good point, you kind of have a relatively fixed number of votes per club for these things.

An unbiased top3/4 will probably have at least two Arsenal players. So someone who’s also a consensus top3 pick like Bruno will end up sneaking to the first in.

If we win the league I think he should get it. No idea when voting closes though.

If we win EPL and CL and Rice performance well Rice deserve the ballon d'or instead of this s*** award

 

[Rex Caudillo]

overall performance in all comps in 2026 should be declan rice number 1 not bruno penandez lol

The stranglehold United have over this country needs to be studied.