‘I’m a big admirer’… Declan Rice says Man City have a ‘fantastic’ player who he just really respects

Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-03-31 12:30:00

Declan Rice has expressed his admiration for Manchester City player Rodri, calling him a “fantastic” player and revealing that he is a big admirer of him as a fellow holding midfielder. Rice acknowledged the comparisons that people make between them but emphasized his respect for Rodri’s game and achievements, mentioning that they will battle it out on the pitch but shake hands afterwards. Rice also highlighted the mutual admiration between him and Rodri and the respect they have for each other’s abilities.

Rice mentioned that studying the game of top players like Rodri is crucial for his own development as a midfielder. He praised Rodri as the standout number six in world football and acknowledged that Rodri’s performances at the highest level provide valuable lessons for him to improve his own mental profile as a midfielder. While Rice may not directly admit to being inferior to Rodri, he acknowledges that there is no shame in learning from one of the best players in the world in order to reach the same level of success.

Many players, including those from rival clubs like Manchester United’s Scott McTominay, have hailed Manchester City players like Yaya Toure and Rodri as inspirations. Rice’s admiration for Rodri reflects a trend where top players recognize and appreciate the skills and achievements of their peers, despite being opponents on the field. By acknowledging the talent and success of players like Rodri, Rice demonstrates a willingness to learn and improve in order to reach the same elite level.

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