Graeme Souness: Declan Rice Needs Final Third Improvement To Reach World-Class Status

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 03, 2025

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Souness's Critique: A Detailed Look at the Final Third Concerns

Graeme Souness, a midfield icon himself, hasn't pulled any punches in his assessment of Declan Rice. His core concern centers on Rice's final third contributions. Souness believes that while Rice excels defensively, his attacking output needs a significant boost to compete with the very best midfielders in the world. The lack of consistent goals, assists, and creative playmaking in the final third is the key area needing attention.

• Insufficient goal contributions: Compared to midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne or Bruno Fernandes, Rice's goal involvement is noticeably lower. While his defensive work is invaluable, world-class midfielders contribute significantly in both boxes.
• Limited creative passing range: Rice's passing is generally accurate and efficient, but his range of creative passes, key passes that unlock defenses, needs expansion. More incisive through balls and skillful passes into dangerous areas are needed.
• Decision-making in the final third: Sometimes, Rice's decision-making falters in the final third. He might opt for a safer pass when a more ambitious, creative option could have yielded a greater attacking threat. Sharpening his decision-making under pressure is vital.

Analyzing Rice's Current Strengths and Weaknesses in the Final Third

Let's acknowledge Rice's undeniable strengths before focusing on areas for development. His ball recovery rate is exceptional; his tackling is consistently strong; and his positional awareness is among the best in the game. However, his final third game reveals areas ripe for improvement:

• Shooting accuracy: Rice's shooting accuracy could be significantly improved. More time spent on shooting practice, particularly long-range efforts and shots inside the box, could greatly enhance his goal-scoring capabilities.
• Passing precision in advanced areas: While his passing is generally excellent, his precision in the final third needs refinement. More work on weighted passes and pinpoint crosses would benefit both his assist numbers and overall attacking play.
• Creative vision: Developing a sharper creative vision in the final third is key. This involves anticipating teammate runs, identifying gaps in the defense, and executing passes that split the opposition and create scoring opportunities. Analyzing his own game footage and learning from other creative midfielders can be invaluable. A statistical analysis reveals a relatively low number of key passes and shots on target compared to top-performing midfielders in similar roles.

Pathways to Improvement: Training and Tactical Adjustments

Transforming Rice's final third play requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Dedicated training: Specialized training sessions focusing on shooting accuracy, crossing precision, and creative passing drills are essential. Set-piece routines could also boost his goal-scoring opportunities. Improving his weaker foot would significantly add to his versatility and unpredictability in the final third.
• Tactical adjustments: Tactical tweaks could better suit Rice's strengths. Playing him in a slightly more advanced midfield role, perhaps as a box-to-box midfielder, could give him more opportunities to impact the attacking phase of the game. Alternatively, specific tactical instructions to encourage more forward runs and risk-taking could also be implemented.
• Coaching and team support: The role of his manager and coaching staff in guiding his development is paramount. Personalized feedback, tactical instruction, and constant encouragement will play a crucial role in maximizing his potential. Furthermore, ensuring his teammates are aware of his strengths and weaknesses and can tailor their play accordingly, supporting him in the final third, is essential.

The Potential Impact of Final Third Improvement on Rice's Career

Enhancing his final third contributions could catapult Rice to world-class status. The impact would be felt across all facets of his career:

• Increased goal and assist numbers: A more prolific goal-scoring and assist-making Rice would elevate his individual statistics and significantly influence his team's performance.
• Enhanced influence on matches: His overall impact on games would increase dramatically. He would become a more complete player, influencing the game at both ends of the pitch.
• Recognition as one of the world's best midfielders: Improved final-third contributions would undoubtedly lead to increased recognition, individual awards, and a higher transfer value.

Reaching World-Class Status: Declan Rice's Final Third Journey

In conclusion, Declan Rice possesses immense talent and already excels defensively. However, Graeme Souness's critique concerning Declan Rice's final third improvement is valid. Addressing the weaknesses identified, through dedicated training, tactical adjustments, and consistent support, is crucial for unlocking his full potential. By focusing on enhancing his shooting accuracy, passing precision in advanced areas, and creative vision, Rice can significantly boost his goal contributions and become a truly world-class midfielder. Share your thoughts: How can we best support Declan Rice's final third development and help him achieve his full potential? What specific training methods or tactical approaches would you recommend for improving Declan Rice's game? Let's discuss Declan Rice's path to world-class.