Months of groundwork and negotiation have lastly paid off with Arsenal confirming the arrival of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
However who’s the Englishman, what’s going to he carry to the aspect and is he value a club-record £100 million? Phil Costa experiences.
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What begins out as a lifelong dream can shortly flip into disconnection the place youth soccer is worried. Development spurts, accidents, journey necessities or only one unhealthy recreation may decide whether or not you make it or not, which is why when Declan Rice was launched by Chelsea at 14 for missing physicality, there have been extra questions than solutions about his future. Fortunately his subsequent membership – West Ham – have been solely an hours’ drive throughout London away and completely happy to gamble on expertise falling via the cracks.
Having made an impression at Chadwell Heath, the England worldwide first broke via as a centre again beneath Slaven Bilić (2017/18 season) earlier than transferring into midfield beneath present supervisor David Moyes. It was there the place he established himself within the Hammers’ beginning lineup, turning into the youngest participant to make 50 appearances since Michael Carrick and later captained the aspect following the retirement of membership icon Mark Noble.
Regardless of confirming his need to depart after rejecting a brand new contract, Rice performed a vital position in protecting West Ham within the Premier League final season and led the aspect to UEFA Convention League glory after beating Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague; their first trophy since 1980.
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Sure roles require craft and creativity, however there’s nothing delicate about Rice and his elite defensive qualities. Largely deployed because the deepest midfielder (quantity six), he’s tasked with patrolling central areas and screening any hazard that threatens the bottom line within the league – Wyscout information. What impresses most concerning the 24-year-old is his defensive selection; he’s aggressive in duels however with clear timing and method which factors to consistency, versus extra chaotic types which might really feel erratic. Rice received possession extra occasions (334) than some other Premier League participant final season and because the begin of 2019/20 is second solely to Wilfried Ndidi (311) for profitable tackles made (287), totting up simply 26 yellow playing cards in 204 prime flight appearances; making him extra easy felony than bull in a china store.
However there are extra methods to pores and skin a cat and what really elevates Rice is his studying of the sport. Regardless of his stocky, 6ft 1in (185cm) body there’s dexterity and sharpness to his motion which, when mixed with high-level quickness of thought creates an interception machine. Once more, the midfielder made extra interceptions (63) than some other Premier League participant final season and infrequently surprises the opposition by strolling or jogging into place, earlier than springing into life and pouncing on passes. That sixth sense for anticipating the place the ball will drop cannot solely assist Arsenal – who play a really excessive line – defend in transition, but in addition maintain stress and preserve groups penned in as they seek for an escape route.
Declan rice is the Grasp of Interceptions. He reads opponents passes so nicely. He’s all the time on the proper place on the proper time. so clever. pic.twitter.com/rTfb8PT0P1
— Opk (@opkhd5) Might 23, 2023
With West Ham struggling final season, Rice was additionally requested to contribute extra offensively alongside the impressively unhealthy Tomas Souček which introduced his two-way recreation to gentle. The 24-year-old has all the time been technically safe however for a clunky, barely awkward mover his ball carrying potential is usually ignored. Enjoying in a box-to-box position, he accomplished extra progressive carries (315) than each different Arsenal midfielder final time period and two seasons in the past, carried the ball additional – 5152 yards – than some other midfielder in Europe. Naturally, these numbers have been inflated by the transition-heavy strategy beneath Moyes however his potential to glide throughout the bottom and previous gamers make him a useful asset, particularly late in video games the place his stamina shines via.
This hints at Rice having the ability to play each deeper and extra superior midfield roles, however with Thomas Partey probably leaving the membership this summer season; he ought to be the purpose of reference. Statistically they profile equally as proven beneath (Opta information) however their respective availability feels pertinent, with the England worldwide lacking simply seven video games in three seasons – Partey has missed 37 in that very same interval – which might be one of many drivers behind his exit.
What can be necessary is how shortly he can develop in possession. Rice is a dependable mid-range passer, with a penchant for right-side switches and delicate clips excessive. Nonetheless, groups typically give up the ball in opposition to West Ham to nullify their counter attacking risk, which suggests the 24-year-old is never pressed with time to settle and discover his passes. When lesser opposition sit off in opposition to Arsenal, velocity turns into so necessary – are you able to mix along with your midfield companions in a single contact, or break a line in two? In larger video games the place urgent is extra intense, growing that tempo may additionally assist to mitigate his sometimes unfastened back-to-goal recreation.
Enjoying additional up the pitch additionally presents new challenges. No group produced extra excessive turnovers than Arsenal within the prime flight final season (388), with West Ham recording over 100 fewer (281) which highlights how aggressive the Gunners are beneath Arteta. One behavior Rice must curb goes rogue in his Superman go well with – principally via sheer need to make a distinction – however there can be a duty to select his moments extra properly as a result of he will be helpful when breaking ahead, simply with out leaving teammates uncovered.
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“When he (Rice) was launched at Beneath-14, I used to be shocked however acted shortly to get him within the subsequent day,” Dave Hunt, West Ham’s head of academy recruitment, advised the BBC.
“In teaching we converse rather a lot about excellent attributes however it’s completely different with him. It’s his character, dedication and character. That’s what units him aside.”
And that’s basically the crux of this deal. Not solely is Rice an excellent, Premier League confirmed midfielder with two-way high quality, however a frontrunner whose aggressive edge fits this dressing room and undertaking completely – one thing which have to be thought of following the departure of Granit Xhaka.
In fact, you’ll be able to argue whether or not £100m represents worth however our idea of worth doesn’t exist anymore – significantly when dealing between two prime flight golf equipment. It doesn’t assist that Arsenal followers have a posh relationship with spending after years of getting to defend their penny pinching, earlier than the scars of huge cash signings post-Arsène Wenger triggered different insecurities. However this regime has earned the proper to go large and you can not escape the sensation of Rice being a crowning piece – like Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool – for one thing actually particular.
Even six months in the past this switch would have felt not possible however the turnaround, each on the pitch and behind the scenes has been outstanding, to the purpose that Arsenal are going head-to-head and beating Manchester Metropolis for signings. Solely Sol Campbell becoming a member of on a free switch again in 2001 can rival this deal when it comes to magnitude and what message it conveys to opponents.
Which is a scary thought in itself. Spending brings stress which nonetheless feels new for everyone, as we’ve got been snug having fun with the journey with this thrilling younger group. However having secured Rice, alongside extensions for a number of key gamers, the membership are pushing all their chips into the centre of the desk – it’s time to belief the hand and begin profitable.
