Declan Rice is ‘not world-class material’ – McClean opines
Former Republic of Ireland star James McClean believes that Declan Rice is “not world-class” and his abilities have been ‘overrated’ by the English media. The Irishman played alongside the £105m Arsenal midfielder in three of his 104 appearances for the national team before Rice controversially switched allegiances to the Three Lions in 2019.
McClean, who was joined by Lisa Fallon and Kevin Doyle as they looked ahead to Wednesday Germany-Hungary clash at the European Championships, referred to German attacker Jamal Musiala as a player who “justifies the hype”, but then added: “I feel Declan Rice is very overrated.” He continued:
“Dont get me wrong, I think he’s a good footballer, but the way the English press wax lyrical about him is completely over the top. For me, he’s not world-class. To me, world-class is anyone who gets in every side in the world. I don’t think he does that.
I don’t think he gets in the Man City side ahead of Rodri. I know Toni Kroos is now retiring, but to me Toni Kroos is world-class. He dictates the game, Rodri dictates the game. Declan Rice does not do that.”
