Yaya Toure Explains What Arsenal’s Declan Rice Needs to Be on Rodri’s Level

Yaya Toure Explains What Arsenal’s Declan Rice Needs to Be on Rodri’s Level

  • Declan Rice vs Rodri has been a heated debate in the last few months, and there's no end in sight
  • The Arsenal midfielder has made an incredible impact at the Emirates, while Rodri has become one of the best players
  • Former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure says the England international has a way to go to reach Rodri's level

In the last few months, there has been a debate about who the best defensive midfielder is: Declan Rice or Rodri.

Rice has done well at Arsenal, especially in his first season, while Rodri has become a key player at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

Man City legend Yaya Toure has compared the Arsenal star to himself and feels Rodri has an edge over the Gunners star.

Declan Rice and Rodri have played key role in the premier League title race for Arsenal and Manchester City
Declan Rice and Rodri are, without a doubt, the top two defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Photos by Michael Regan and Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport.
Source: UGC

Toure was at one point the best midfielder in the Premier League. His marauding runs, assists, and free-kicks made him a joy to watch.

Read also

Erik ten Hag defiant despite heavy Manchester United defeat to Liverpool

Rodri reminds Toure of himself

The Ivory Coast legend said the former West Ham midfielder reminds him of himself.

“Declan Rice reminds me of myself because I think he has the capacity, the ability, the physical ability as well. To do it week in week out is difficult and very demanding but he can do it," via Football365.

Toure gave Rodri an edge over the England international, saying the Spaniard has won more trophies.

“He needs to be in a winning team because the team that wins the league has the best players...Those two are there but Rodri has been winning more trophies than Declan. This year Declan has to change that. Winning trophies makes the difference."

The 41-year-old retired in 2020 with 80 goals and 47 assists in 316 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City. He won three Premier League titles.

Read also

Arsenal legend names player to blame for Brighton's goal

Will Declan Rice appeal red card?

Briefly News earlier explained why Declan Rice cannot appeal his red card ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Premier League rules state that clubs can only appeal a direct red card or two yellow cards in the case of mistaken identity. The VAR has eliminated the mistaken identity, which means there are no longer any appeals for yellow cards.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Viginia Akinyi avatar

Viginia Akinyi (sports editor) Viginia Akinyi is the current import editor at Briefly News. She holds a B.Sc. in Communication and Public Relations from Moi University and has previously worked with Lolwe TV, Daily Nation Eldoret Bureau and SportsBrief.com. Email: viginia.akinyi@briefly.co.za