In our view, if Declan Rice joins Arsenal in the summer, he could get his best chance of emulating idol Yaya Toure.
As recently as on Saturday, journalist Charles Watts reported that Mikel Arteta’s side are trying their best to secure the services of the West Ham United captain.
ICYMI: Declan Rice is a huge admirer of Yaya Toure
On GOAL’s official YouTube channel in November, Rice said, “I’ve been watching the top players over the years, the Yaya Toures, the [Patrick] Vieiras. There’s a long way to go to get to that level.”
“But the way they used to carry the ball up the pitch and drive their teams forward is something I have been trying to learn and add to my game.”
“One of the idols. That is someone I’ve based the game on massively. As you can see, I don’t get starstruck very often. This is a legend. I can’t believe I’ve got Yaya Toure in my house. It doesn’t make any sense.”
How Rice could emulate the Premier League legend at the Emirates Stadium
Now, this is not to say that Arsenal target Declan Rice is anywhere close to Yaya Toure just yet, who was one of the most devastating midfielders of his generation.
But it is only at the Gunners where the Englishman could perhaps operate in a similar box-to-box midfield role as the Ivorian, as clubs such as Chelsea and Liverpool are perhaps in need of a new No.6.
But much like Yaya Toure played as the No.8 at Manchester City, Declan Rice could do the same at Arsenal in front of Thomas Partey.
Similarly, although not to the same effect, the 24-year-old’s best attribute also remains his frightening ball-carrying abilities.
And the fact that Rice has been able to display that in a Hammers side where the midfield has plenty of room for improvement just goes to show how incredible of a ball-carrier he is.
With Thomas Partey sitting in the base of midfield, Declan Rice, much like Yaya Toure could have the license to take the ball forward and get Arsenal rolling in transition.
Considering the defensively responsibility on his shoulders would reduce tenfold as the workload in midfield will inevitably be reduced, the former Chelsea youth player would also have the chance to take up advanced positions and try to get goals as well as assists.
Of course, Declan Rice lacks the level of technical ability, creativity nuance that Yaya Toure had in his game, which Mikel Arteta will try to teach him if he manages to join Arsenal.
But Rice could evolve beyond so much more than just a holding midfielder to become an all-conquering presence in the centre of the pitch if he says yes to the current league leaders.
At other clubs, on the other hand, he will be unable to even try to replicate Toure, as he will be handed a role similar to Fernandinho as the sitting midfielder instead.
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