Declan Rice just helped Arsenal win their first Premier League title in 22 years. He marshalled England’s midfield at a World Cup. And yet, according to Graeme Souness, he’s “limited” and might be better off playing at the back.
It’s the kind of take that lights up social media. But here’s the twist — William Saliba’s serious back injury could actually force Mikel Arteta’s hand.
What Souness Actually Said
Speaking on Piers Morgan’s Sports Uncensored after England’s heartbreaking 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina, Souness didn’t hold back.
“Declan Rice, for me, is limited,” the Liverpool and Scotland legend said. “You hear people talk about Rice as a world-class footballer. I think he might be a centre-half.”
He went further:
- Rice “won’t get any better” at 27
- He compared Rice unfavourably to Spain’s Rodri
- He criticised Rice for running with the ball rather than seeing “the picture quick enough”
- He labelled both Rice and Elliot Anderson as “steady Eddie” midfielders who just “recycle the ball”
The comments stung. Rice had dealt with hamstring, calf, and back issues throughout the tournament. He was subbed at half-time against Norway due to illness. He spent what he called “the hardest 12 minutes” playing right-back against Congo DR.
England weren’t at their best. Rice wasn’t fully fit. Context matters.
John Terry Wasn’t Having It
Chelsea legend John Terry hit back almost immediately.
“I disagree actually. I’m in the Declan Rice camp, I do think he’s world-class,” Terry said. He compared Rice’s role to those of Claude Makelele and N’Golo Kante at Chelsea — players whose value didn’t show up in flashy passes but in the protection they gave the defence.
Terry added that Rice was the one player he’d have wanted in front of England’s back line during those final, chaotic minutes against Argentina.
It’s a fair point. Rice isn’t Rodri. He doesn’t need to be. His physicality, pressing, defensive coverage, and set-piece delivery are elite in their own right. In 36 Premier League appearances last season, he recorded four goals, five assists, 70 successful tackles, and over 2,100 completed passes.
Those aren’t the numbers of a “limited” player.
But Could Souness Actually Be Right — By Accident?
Here’s where the story gets interesting. Souness’s suggestion that Rice could play centre-back sounded absurd at first. Then Saliba’s injury news dropped.
The French defender aggravated a long-standing back problem during France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain. Reports from L’Equipe suggest he could miss four to five months if he opts for surgery. Saliba reportedly told teammate Dayot Upamecano the pain was “unbearable” before being replaced after just 30 minutes.
Arsenal will assess Saliba when he returns to London, but surgery looks likely. That would rule him out until late November or December at the earliest.
So where does that leave Arteta?
Ben White is the obvious candidate to shift into a centre-back role, having played there at Brighton. But if injuries stack up, don’t be shocked if Rice drops deep.
It wouldn’t be completely foreign to him. Rice came through West Ham’s academy as a centre-back before transitioning into midfield around 2018. Arsene Wenger once watched the teenager play in defence for West Ham’s Under-18s and reportedly called him “exceptional.” The defensive instincts are there. They’ve always been there.
Nobody at Arsenal is planning to convert Rice into a permanent centre-half. That would be a waste of what he brings in midfield. But in an emergency? It’s not the craziest idea anymore.
Souness’s take was provocative and poorly timed. Rice deserved better after a gruelling season and a World Cup played through pain. Still, football has a funny habit of making pundits look prescient for all the wrong reasons.
Don’t be surprised if, come August, Declan Rice lines up at the back for Arsenal’s Premier League opener — and Graeme Souness takes full credit.
