Arsenal splashed a club-record transfer on Declan Rice last summer because they knew he would transform their team.
The 25-year-old, who was also wanted by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, has been lauded and applauded for his performances at Arsenal over the past 12 months.
But Alan Shearer’s claim about the Arsenal midfielder didn’t sit well with Micah Richards, as they discussed on the latest edition of The Rest is Football.
Gary Lineker asked who he thinks is going to win the 2024 edition of the Ballon d’Or – the current holder is Lionel Messi after he won the World Cup with Argentina.
In years gone by, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the prestigious individual award, but with the legendary duo now plying their trade outside of Europe, it’s time for a new player to step up.
Shearer put forward the name of Rodri, after he helped Manchester City to the Premier League title last season and then went on to win Euro 2024 with Spain.
The Premier League’s all-time leading scorer also jokingly mentioned Rice, alongside the Spanish star, before Micah Richards pulled him up on his past comments.
It has been pretty clear that Rice has been outstanding for several years now, but the former defender couldn’t accept Shearer claiming that he is ‘miles better’ than the man from Manchester City.
Richards wanted to make it clear that he loves the England international as a player and he also lauded his attitude.
But he labelled Shearer’s suggestion of Rice and Rodri as ‘ridiculous’, with the latter in contention to win the Ballon d’Or, alongside Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
Declan Rice v Rodri
“I love Declan Rice more than anything,” said Richards. “But when you compared him to Rodri, so soon as well, Alan (Shearer).
“In terms of football players, I just think his attitude and the way he plays. I just love him, he is just all-action. But it was Alan’s ridiculous comments, he said ‘he is miles better than Rodri’. I wouldn’t mind him saying ‘oh, I prefer Declan Rice’, but it was ‘he is miles better than Rodri’. It was a ridiculous statement, so I would just like to pull him up on it.”
Shearer responded: “I think you have to realise when I said it.”
Arsenal and Manchester City Premier League title challenge
Rodri inspired Manchester City to the Premier League title last season and he has proven time and time again why he is one of the best in the world.
He has every club trophy in the locker, added to that an international crown, so if Rice wants to join him, then he needs those winner’s medals.
READ MORE: Leandro Trossard to Al-Ittihad transfer decision as Mikel Arteta steps in
Arsenal face Manchester City after the international break – Rice will return after his red card against Brighton – and it’s his chance to push his team to victory.
It’s these types of games when the former West Ham man can enhance his reputation and take his career to even higher heights.
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