Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has said that Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice could increase his value if he added goals to his game.
The former Arsenal star has been hugely impressed by Declan Rice, who joined the Gunners from London and Premier League rivals West Ham United in the summer transfer window.
Merson has suggested that Rice is a better defensive midfielder than Moises Caicedo.
The Ecuador international joined Chelsea from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer transfer window.
Merson thinks that if Rice starts to score goals more regularly, then his value will increase even more.
According to ESPN, Arsenal paid West Ham £100 million in transfer fees for Rice in the summer of 2023.
The 24-year-old England international midfielder scored one of the goals for Arsenal in their win against Manchester United in the Premier League this past weekend.
Rice has made 208 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
The Englishman has scored 11 goals and given 10 assists in those matches.
Paul Merson on Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice
Merson told Sky Sports: “With Declan Rice, when you weigh him and Moises Caicedo up, it’s so different. Rice gives you everything.
“It’s 1-1 and Arsenal have really got to win the game if they want to keep tabs with Manchester City. He’s on and he scores the goal.
“On Saturday, Chelsea are 1-0 down and they take Caicedo off. They’re both holding-midfield players but one gives you a lot more.
“If Rice can throw goals into his game then I dread to think how much he’s worth.”
Declan Rice will get better
We believe that Declan Rice will get better for Arsenal and for England in the coming years.
Rice is only 24 now.
He still has room to improve.
And he can still add facets to his game.
Rice has been playing regular first-team football for a number of years, and that is a big reason why he is so mature on the pitch.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has improved the likes of Martin Odegaard and William Saliba.
And Arteta could make Rice even better.
That is a scary proposition.
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