🗣️ He’s Gone Too Far!
🗣️ Arsenal Fans Are Burning Inside!
Tottenham Legend, Van Der Vaart Tears Into Arsenal Star Declan Rice With Five-Word Message After England’s Euro 2024 Heartbreak!
Tottenham icon Rafael van der Vaart was critical of one Arsenal player after England were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
The Three Lions were again on the losing side in a major final with Gareth Southgate’s side falling 2-1 to Spain in Berlin, with La Roja worthy champions having established themselves as the best team in the entire tournament this summer.
Although England were beaten in the final, the squad can hold their heads up high after another historic showing at a major tournament, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford signaled out for praise from a selection of Three Lion legends.
Yet Spurs legend Van der Vaart tore into one England and Arsenal star after the full-time whistle.
Declan Rice slammed after ‘useless’ England performance vs Spain
Speaking on NOS Sport, Van der Vaart highlighted Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as being ‘useless’ for England against Spain, with the 25-year-old criticised for not passing the ball forward enough.
With Rice playing as the deepest midfielder for England under Southgate, it makes sense why the former West Ham captain’s role has been altered somewhat for the Three Lions, with the Arsenal man a real source of attacking intent for the Gunners.
However, this Euros has seen this side of Rice’s game shelved with Jude Bellingham the advanced midfielder, and Van der Vaart was critical of what he saw from Rice after the full-time whistle in Berlin.
Van der Vaart said: “£100m for Declan Rice, what does he do? He comes to collect a ball only to pass it back to John Stones. He is useless. If you are truly worth £100m, then you should be able to play a ball forward.”
Rice’s England role has to be the same as how he operates for Arsenal
Rice is easily one of England’s most important players, with the 25-year-old a mainstay for the Three Lions and a figure who will be with the national team for another five to ten years.
Yet heading into the new era of England potentially without Southgate, an effort needs to be made to transform Rice’s role with the Three Lions into the same one that the midfielder operates with Arsenal.
Indeed, Rice under Mikel Arteta is a different animal entirely, with the Arsenal manager unlocking an unseen side of the midfielder’s game to incredible results, and this is how the former West Ham man should play for England if they’re to finally win something again on the international stage.
