Declan Rice as centre-back? Makes sense for Chelsea - 3 reasons why
In the past weeks, Chelsea fans could've seen in action two players their favourite team is constantly linked with: Ben Chilwell and Declan RIce. While Leicester's left-back did not enjoy his best game (although he fared better than his counterpart Emerson), RIce surely left a positive impression.
Recently, Rice has been playing as an anchorman but as reports suggest, he's considered by Chelsea as someone who can play at the centre-back. It is in that position where he's played for the most of his career in youth teams, including his years at the Chelsea Academy.
What can he add to the team? Here are just some ideas:
1. Commanding presence. Rice is certainly a leader at West Ham, while we struggle to name someone among the Blues' centre-backs who's known for his authority on the pitch.
2. Versatility. We've mentioned it earlier, Rice is equally adept at centre-back and No.6 role.
3. First pass. Against Chelsea, he completed 90.3 per cent of his passes (he was quite heavily involved, too).
That's without mentioning the fact that he already knows some of the current Chelsea players very well (his friendship with Mount is a stuff of legends) and that Lampard knows him quite well too from his time at the academy.
To be honest, I was quite sceptical about Rice's signing - when he was talked about as a midfielder. He is a quality player, though, and if there's confidence that he can switch back to centre-half, it very well may be the case.
Comments
I am surprised at all. When did rice or whatever he might be called has become a cb defender? Pls admine, stop posting rubbish to this app. This App is not for fun, stop taking Chelsea Fans for granted.
He’s too weak for a cb
sounds good man, hope they can sign him and also Havertz