Ali

Honestly, I don't think there's a midfielder in world football who is ahead of Declan Rice right now. And I'm not even saying this out of bias. Just tell me, what exactly can this man not do? He started out primarily as a defensive midfielder, someone whose job was to sit in front of the defence, break up play, win duels and protect the backline. But look at the player he has evolved into. He can play as a 6, operate as an 8, dictate the tempo, carry the ball forward, break opposition lines, win tackles, make interceptions, create chances, arrive in the box and even contribute goals. He has added so many dimensions to his game that it's almost unfair. The scary thing is that he's not even standing still. Season after season, Declan keeps finding ways to improve. Every time you think you've seen the best version of him, he comes back with another level to his game. His understanding of different roles, his technical ability, his passing range, his physicality and his decision-making have all improved tremendously. And let's talk about his consistency. This man delivers masterclass performances so regularly that we've almost started treating them like ordinary occurrences. He'll dominate the midfield, cover every blade of grass, win practically every important duel, make crucial tackles, drive his team forward and still have the energy to do it all over again. Then he'll walk off the pitch like he hasn't just put in a ridiculous shift. There's a reason his teammates call him 'The Horse'. The engine, the stamina, the strength, the relentless running and the mentality. He just doesn't stop. He's the kind of midfielder every manager dreams of having because he gives you so many solutions. Need someone to protect your defence? He's there. Need someone to control the midfield? He's there. Need someone to drive the team forward? He's there. Need someone to step up in a big game? You can count on him. What I find even more impressive is how comfortable he has become with responsibility. He doesn't hide when the pressure is high. He wants the ball, wants to make things happen and isn't afraid to take ownership of difficult moments. That's the mentality of an elite midfielder. This is exactly the kind of player the English media should be celebrating and pushing. We spend so much time talking about hype, narratives and PR, but Declan Rice has the performances to back up every bit of praise he gets. He doesn't need manufactured narratives. His football does the talking. At some point, we need to stop describing him as just a great defensive midfielder or someone who has improved going forward. He's becoming a complete midfielder, and the frightening part is that he still looks like a player with more levels to unlock.