Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice will lock horns with one of the best players in the world on Sunday when England face Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
Rodri has been outstanding for his country and is a key reason why his team have reached the final.
But the Manchester City trophy-winning machine is going to face some familiar faces against England, including the fast-improving, Declan Rice.
Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title to Rodri’s Manchester City last term, even though the Gunners paid a club-record transfer for the Englishman.
The 25-year-old still made a huge difference and was one of the best players in the league, but as Paul Merson pointed out, ‘Rodri is the master’.
Not only is the Spanish star a big-name player, but he also scores ‘big goals’, as was proven when Manchester City won the Champions League a few seasons ago.
You could even argue that a player like Rodri has been unlucky not to pick up a major individual award, such as the Ballon d’Or, as you feel all eyes are normally on the attacking players.
But there is no doubt that Rodri is the best in his position in the world and nobody touches him.
Rodri v Declan Rice Euro 2024 final
“He (Rice) is playing against the master (Rodri),” said Merson. “The apprentice against the master. Rodri is the best.”
On Rodri being 100 on a scale, where would Rice be: “87,” responded Merson. “I am a Declan Rice fan. A big Declan Rice fan. But Rodri is the best in the world in his position. He scores big goals in big games.”
Before Rice moved to the Emirates from West Ham United, there was talk of him possibly linking up with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
But Mikel Arteta made sure he got his man and his performances last season proved why they paid a club-record transfer for him.
Merson was asked if the Europa Conference League winner with West Ham has the ‘potential to become as good as Rodri’ and he issued a pretty honest response, as he told Football’s Greatest.
“Not sure, and I only say that because Rodri could play one position,” Merson added. “Declan Rice is probably better in the other position. Rodri is a holding midfield player, who’s amazing, but Rice plays that position and I think he’s better further forward as one of the midfield three. On the left he plays because Odegaard plays on the right, and then he can burst forward.
“When he has got the ball at his feet, he’s better than Rodri, like bursting forward. He runs with it. Rodri won’t run with it. Rodri, he’s in charge of the orchestra, so I don’t think he will get to the Rodri level because he can play the other position better than what he can play that.”
England v Spain in Euro 2024 final
Many won’t argue that Spain deserves to be in the final because they have been outstanding and played the best football of the tournament.
But England have scraped through and played some ugly football.
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Despite that, it’s the result that matters and turning up when it matters most. Jude Bellingham proved that when England beat Serbia.
Whilst Ollie Watkins netted an incredible last-minute goal against Holland in the Euro 2024 semi-final.
Gareth Southgate’s side aren’t playing the pretty stuff, but they are fighting until the end and that might just help them get over the line in Berlin.
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