Scholes claims Rice can become 'virtually unplayable' like Gerrard

Paul Scholes believes Declan Rice could become 'virtually unplayable' if he continues to play with the directness he showed in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Rice's surging run down the line and inch perfect cross set up Kai Havertz for the only goal of the game, a performance that earned him the Player of the Match award. Jamie Carragher went as far as suggesting afterwards that the 27 year old is the 'best central midfielder in the Premier League'.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes explained why he thinks Rice's display at Anfield points to an even higher ceiling, while also repeating a long held criticism of his game.

“Declan Rice has been good, but I've probably been a bit critical of Declan a few times,” Scholes said. “My only thing with Declan Rice, I still think he takes too many touches for a midfield player. If he decides to just play one and two touch and run, he'll be virtually unplayable, almost in a Steven Gerrard type of way.”

Scholes pointed to a specific example from earlier in the season as proof of what Rice is capable of when he plays more instinctively. “I loved his goal against Bayern Munich a couple of weeks ago, that was brilliant and that's what he should be going more of,” he said. “What he did on Sunday, when he powered down the line, you can't stay with that, and you see the physique; it's probably a bit Steven Gerrard like. Both big, powerful, strong lads.”

The touches issue

Scholes was clear that the main thing holding Rice back, in his view, is a tendency to overplay in midfield. “It's once he starts stud rolling in the middle of the pitch and taking too many touches. He never plays one or two touch,” he said. “One or two touch and run and you would never stay with him, you'd never be able to live with him. He's started to do that a little bit more; it was a brilliant run and a great pass for the goal.”

Butt backs Rice as 'best in the Premier League'

Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt went even further in his praise, placing Rice among some of the Premier League's most celebrated box to box midfielders of the past two decades. “I get what Scholesy says about the touches, but I think he's phenomenal,” Butt said. “Over the years, you look at certain midfielders who are box to box powerhouses: Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Steven Gerrard. He's in that ilk now. That kind of midfielder, he's the best in the Premier League by a long stretch. He's approaching his peak, he knows his game and his body inside out… he's now at the peak of his powers.”

Rice signed for Arsenal from West Ham in the summer of 2023 and has since become a regular fixture in Mikel Arteta's midfield. Comments like these from Scholes and Butt will only add to the growing conversation around his status among the Premier League's elite central midfielders.