Declan Rice has been placed alongside England legends Steven Gerrard and Bryan Robson after former Three Lions midfielder Peter Reid delivered a glowing assessment of the Arsenal star.
The midfielder enjoyed another outstanding campaign as Arsenal ended their long wait for Premier League glory and reached the Champions League final. Those performances have strengthened his reputation as one of the world's best all-round midfielders.
Now, with the World Cup fast approaching, Rice has received perhaps the biggest compliment of his career so far.
Reid places Rice among England’s greatest
Speaking to GOAL, Reid made it clear he believes Rice belongs in the same conversation as some of the finest midfielders England have ever produced.
The former Sunderland and Manchester City manager highlighted Rice’s influence in all phases of the game and argued that comparisons with Robson and Gerrard are fully justified.
“Bryan Robson was a top player, so if I’m mentioning them two in the same breath, it just shows you how I regard Declan Rice. Terrific footballer.” — Peter Reid
Reid went even further when discussing Rice’s complete skillset.
“He’s up there in the top echelon of midfield players. Both sides of the game – getting the ball, handling the football, reading situations, defensively, attacking-wise. You don’t get any better.” — Peter Reid
The praise reflects the growing consensus that Rice has developed into one of the most influential midfielders in world football.
Future England captain in waiting?
Rice's leadership qualities have also become increasingly evident over recent seasons.
At Arsenal, he has established himself as one of the key voices within Mikel Arteta's squad. For England, many view him as the natural successor to Harry Kane whenever the Bayern Munich striker eventually steps away from captaincy duties.
Both Gerrard and Robson captained England at World Cups during their careers, and Rice could be on course to follow the same path.
Rice's authority on the pitch and consistency at the highest level make him one of the strongest candidates to lead the national team in the future.
Arsenal continue to reap rewards
When Arsenal paid £105 million to sign Rice from West Ham in 2023, the transfer attracted significant scrutiny.
Three years later, few would question the investment.
Rice has become the heartbeat of Arteta's midfield and played a major role in delivering Arsenal's first league title in more than two decades.
His performances have also seen him receive recognition in Ballon d'Or voting, underlining his growing global status.
Is Rice worth £150m in today’s market?
One of the more intriguing parts of Reid’s interview centred on Rice’s current market value.
With Alexander Isak’s £125 million move to Liverpool setting a new benchmark in British football, the question was raised whether Rice could now command an even higher fee.
Reid stopped short of naming a figure but acknowledged that transfer valuations have reached unprecedented levels.
“People are worth what people want to pay. You can put figures on it, but that’s the way it is.” — Peter Reid
Given Rice’s age, leadership qualities and elite performances, there is a strong argument that any club attempting to sign him today would need to offer well beyond the £105 million Arsenal originally paid.
Why Rice's importance goes beyond statistics
What separates Rice from many elite midfielders is his influence across every area of the pitch.
He combines defensive intelligence, ball progression, leadership and attacking contributions in a way very few players can replicate. That versatility allows managers to build entire systems around him.
For Arsenal and England alike, he has become far more than just a midfielder. He is increasingly becoming the player around whom teams are constructed.
Key Points
- Peter Reid believes Declan Rice belongs alongside Steven Gerrard and Bryan Robson.
- Rice helped Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.
- The midfielder is viewed as a future England captain.
- Reid believes Rice is among the world's most complete midfielders.
- Arsenal's £105m investment continues to look increasingly justified.
What’s next?
Rice will now turn his attention to the World Cup, where he is expected to play a central role in England's hopes of ending decades of hurt on the international stage.
Strong performances in the tournament would only strengthen his growing reputation and further cement his status among the elite midfielders of his generation. For Arsenal, meanwhile, securing him to a new long-term contract may soon become a priority.
Is Declan Rice already among England's greatest-ever midfielders, or does he still need more trophies to reach the level of Steven Gerrard and Bryan Robson?
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