Graeme Souness stands by Declan Rice criticism as ‘double figures’ verdict shared after West Ham United exit
Graeme Souness has stood by his previous criticism that former West Ham midfielder Declan Rice does not score enough goals.
The pundit believes the England international, who has recently completed a £105million switch to Arsenal, needs to add goals to his game.
Speaking live on talkSPORT, pundit Souness believes Rice should be scoring double figures every season for his new club.
“The only criticism I had of Declan was that he didn’t get enough goals, and I still stand by that,” Souness said live on talkSPORT. “Because you’re a defensive midfield player, doesn’t mean you can’t chip in with goals, so he’s got to get more goals.
“Arsenal finished second last year. He will undoubtedly improve them. Now, can they make that jump from being second to first because of Declan, possibly, but chip in with more goals. For a midfield player, you have to have a defensive head, he’s got that, he sees the danger and deals with it. He’s extremely athletic, he can get up and down the park.
“I just want him to be coming onto balls, in and around the box that he’s attacking. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t get double figures every year playing for that Arsenal team.”
Top talent
Rice really is a top talent, with the former Hammers star among the best midfielders of his generation, with the potential to get better.
The Souness criticism definitely is harsh, with the England ace definitely tasked with breaking up play and keeping possession above all else.
Of course, Rice himself would welcome more goals, as would any player, but finding the back of the net should be left to the attacking players.
Fortunately for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have an abundance of such players, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard capable of finding the back of the net with ease.
Arteta will not say no to Rice getting forward on occasion, but if the new Arsenal man is dropped into a defensive midfield role, hitting the back of the net will be down low on the list of priorities as the Gunners look to go one better than they did in the league last season.
In other West Ham news, the winner has been named in the £25million Hammers and Wolves race to seal a first-team signing this summer.