Jody Morris Compares Declan Rice and Rodri
On the one hand, we have Declan Rice of West Ham United, mastering the art of playing midfield for the Premier League, and on the other, Rodri of Manchester City, a team that rides high on tactical genius. As per sources and the various newspapers which are full of stories about these two guys, the whole football world in awe, their names on everyone’s lips. Jody Morris came up with a kind of different way of thinking about it, comparing their playing style and strengths, especially their differences more than their similarities. He said Rodri’s Ballon d’Or level was the strongest example of a controlling, tempo-setting player who had the entire game in his grasp.
He recognized how great Rodri was last season before he got injured and had to face a tough time, but at the same time he suggested that Rice plays a bit differently since “a little bit more going forward” is what Rice’s game is. The difference here is that the Arsenal midfielder, hitherto a narrative of understated brilliance, now, by virtue of this one extra factor, he becomes the leader who energizes the entire team with his drive and makes the Arsenal’s engine room an unstoppable one.
Rice’s Role as Arsenal’s Driving Force
Rice is still the most Arsenal’s influential player, and he is often called the team’s heartbeat in the midfield. His arrival to the pitch gives Arsenal more order, calm, and energy to their game, qualities necessary to their fight for the title. Even though he is the club’s most expensive signing and therefore carries the most weight, Rice makes out every penny with his steady performances, and he is able to combine defensive work with attacking play in a very natural way.
Many times his runs from deep position to the final third of the pitch disturb the opponents and open up the spaces for the teammates, thus making him absolutely necessary for Mikel Arteta’s tactical plan. Rice’s versatility also enables him to move without any interruption from one aspect of the game to the other, and he can always come up with the required level of fight and smartness.
Overcoming Injury Setbacks
Arsenal’s Rice at one point was unfortunate to come into an injury situation, an obstacle in his otherwise great season. He was quick to respond and share the good news through his recovery and that he is eager to get back even stronger. Arteta’s reports of Rice have been very much about waiting and gentle handling to guarantee a return without any issues and also saving Rice’s stamina and high performance for the Arsenal’s tight fixture list.
All-Round Brilliance and Reliability
Furthermore, Rice has an extensive skill set which makes him a more and more dependable figure in the team apart from his physical and technical qualities. His understanding of the game is obvious in his positioning, interception prediction, and very quick transition starting. Both the defense and the offence of Arsenal can greatly utilize the energy and the leadership of Rice, who, while stabilizing the midfield, gives the team different tactical options. His upward trend in performances is a strong argument for the majority of people who consider him as Arsenal’s most stable and trustworthy player this season.
Author’s Note
Jody Morris talking about Declan Rice as a Rodri-type player helps us to grasp better the changing midfield roles in the Premier League. Rice’s rare combination of a tough defensive-minded player who also eagerly goes forward is what’s making Arsenal very strong as they are fighting for the Premier League title. The blow to his fitness has come at a bad time for him but he is still on a path that leads to him having more and more of a say in the game and making progress.
