England’s underwhelming performance at the 2024 Euros has sparked debate among pundits, with Gary Neville offering a candid assessment of Declan Rice’s capabilities as a defensive midfielder.
During his ITV analysis, Neville asserted that Rice falls short in comparison to Thomas Partey and Jorginho, citing the Arsenal and Chelsea players’ superior skills in the position.
Neville’s comments came after England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark, which highlighted the team’s struggles in creating offensive opportunities from deeper positions.
He pointed out that Rice lacks the proficiency of Partey and Jorginho, who have consistently demonstrated their ability to excel in the defensive midfield role.
Interestingly, Mikel Arteta had also seemingly lost faith in Rice’s abilities, replacing him with Jorginho and Partey in the number six position for the final 15 games of the season.
Partey, in particular, has been impressive on the international stage, leading Ghana to victories in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and solidifying his reputation as a top defensive midfielder.
As England prepares for their final group stage match against Slovenia, fans and critics alike hope for a stronger performance from the team, which has garnered only four points so far in the tournament.
