Full Breakdown
Graeme Souness Calls Declan Rice “Old-Man Football” Midfielder
9/8/2026, 1:07:22 PM
Core Event – Souness’s Public Critique
Former Liverpool midfielder and pundit Graeme Souness repeatedly argued that Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice does not fulfil the duties of a true central midfielder. Appearing on Piers Morgan’s *Football Uncensored* programme, Souness described Rice’s positioning as “old-man’s football” and suggested the 27-year-old is effectively playing as a centre-half rather than a midfield engine. He also linked Rice’s deep-lying role to England’s loss in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Background & Context – Rice’s Rise at Arsenal and England
Rice moved from West Ham United to Arsenal in the summer of 2023 for a reported £100 million-£105 million fee, becoming the club’s most expensive signing. He featured in every league match as Arsenal secured their first Premier League title in 22 years and helped the side reach the Champions League final the following season. Internationally, Rice was a regular starter for England at the 2022 World Cup, where the team reached the semi-final before being eliminated by Argentina.
Data & Statistics
- Transfer fee: £100 million-£105 million (reported across sources).
- 2022-23 Premier League: 55 appearances for Arsenal, contributing to the title win.
- 2023-24 season (first three league games): Arsenal recorded three wins, with Rice playing the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
- World Cup 2022: England reached the semi-final, losing to Argentina in July.
Official Statements & Responses
Souness’s commentary focused on Rice’s habit of receiving the ball as the “last man” in build-up play, positioning him between two centre-halves or between a centre-half and a full-back. He argued that this habit allows Rice to receive the ball with less pressure and suggested it limits his impact on the game, labeling the approach as “cheating.” Souness also questioned whether Rice could secure a place at elite European clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Manchester City, noting that those teams have historically relied on midfielders like Fernandinho and Rodri.
Piers Morgan countered Souness’s assessment by describing Rice as a “world-class midfielder,” though no direct quotation from Morgan is provided in the source material. No formal response from Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta or from the England national-team staff appears in the available reports.
Verbatim Quotes
- “How many times do you see him as the last man with the ball,” — Graeme Souness
Why It Matters – Tactical Perception and Player Valuation
Souness’s remarks revive a long-standing debate about the modern defensive midfielder’s role. By characterising Rice’s deep positioning as “old-man’s football,” Souness implies that a player who frequently drops between the back line and midfield may lack the creative influence traditionally expected of a central midfielder. If such criticism gains traction, it could affect how coaches deploy Rice in future Arsenal and England matches, especially as the club adds midfield depth with the £75 million signing of Bruno Guimarães.
What’s Next – Upcoming Fixtures
Arsenal travel to Napoli for a Champions League group-stage match on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League encounter with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light the subsequent weekend. These games will provide further opportunities for observers to evaluate whether Rice’s positioning aligns with Souness’s description or demonstrates a broader tactical flexibility.
