Declan Rice was the subject of our PlayerWatch last night as we took that precious point off Spurs at Wembley.
Daniel Danielli Leach charted the teenager’s every move as he walked off with the Man of the Match award.
3 – Clears away for a corner after a Kane shot
5 – Heads away for a throw in from a Son cross
7 – Intercepts the ball well which goes to Obiang
8 – Heads the ball well to Lanzini’s chest
13 – Long pass to Lanzini is lost
21 – Hoofs the ball up to Chicharito
28 – Clears away a Davies cross but the ball returns to opposition
30 – Controls a long clearance well and releases the ball back to Adrian
34 – Blocks an incoming Sissoko cross with his head
36 – Heads away a Davies cross
40 – Plays a good long ball to Chicharito’s feet
41 – Intercepts an Alli through ball calmly and passes the ball well under pressure to Masuaku
42 – A well timed challenge on Eriksen goes out for a throw
43 – Makes a great tackle on Eriksen outside of the penalty area
45 – Straight away in the 2nd half he tackles the ball out for a throw in
48 – Plays a nice lobbed ball to Masuaku
49 – A long ball to Chicharito comes to no avail
54 – Heads the ball away from danger in the box as Alli swipes at the ball
57 – Sissoko goes past him but Masuaku is there to cover him
58 – Fails to block a cross but Son’s subsequent shot goes wide
60 – Is beaten by Alli to header but it goes wide
65 – Collects the ball very assuredly from an opposition long ball and passes it forward with ease
79 – Plays a poor chipped ball to Masuaku who is under pressure
81 – Blocks a Kane cross which goes out for a corner
88 – A long ball goes straight to Aurier’s feet
90+4 – Smacks the ball away twice in the same minute to Lloris
Verdict – 7 – Today in the Derby we saw an 18 year old play with the maturity and brain of that of 30 years of age. He fit in very well alongside Masuaku to his left and Ogbonna to his right. Throughout the match he made very few errors and did all the work a centre back should do being a sweeper as Ogbonna kept things steady at the back. He also shows the traits of a future captain as he was very vocal throughout. He is showing why he is a better option than Collins or Cresswell at centre back.
I’d say he deserve 8 was MOTM & was great from start to finishes. At 18 is beyond his years & versatile too knows when to clear it when to play it. Good in & off the ball & mobile with pace. Who wants Mawson when have Rice especially when need mids. That Rice can play to but ball playing defender w pace is what we have needed & he has that & will only get better. Future Capitan.
Get him on new Contract ASAP!
Agree with JRS 8 or 9 for me, played with composure throughout agree with you both has all the attributes to be captain for the long term, maybe even tomorrow in the cup they could give him a try COYI !!!