Is it just me that doesn't see it with Rice? Me and some friends all thought he was our worst player against Denmark. He was out of position - Denmark got space between him and the CB's on the few occasions they got forward. He looks physically weak and his passing is never ever penetrative or even slightly forward biased. The triangle of passing between him Phillips and Maguire last night when there was acres of space for easy forward passing was infuriating. I didn't feel he really made himself available in space for the CB's either, other than coming 3 yards to pick up a ball and then pass it back. Maybe it's just me?
I dont think he has been great in the Euros, but then again, neither has Phillips for me either. I liek how they both come across in interviews with there personalities and attitudes. I think Rice was anomynous rather than poor in the group games, very good against Germany, good but easy game against Ukraine.
I feel Phillips has got caught out over exhuberent with his tackling though. Given away a lot of fouls and lucky to not get more bookings. But every game there have been instances he jstu gets rolled lunging in and then the player is on the break with space ahead of him, has happened every game and the first half last night it happened loads. Apart from Pickford starting to go into nutbar mode the last coupel of games, Phillips is the player worries me most for the final.
Rice for West Ham though I think has been really good the last two seasons, I do however think the price is just way too high, especially when at th emoment there are literally loads of really good young central midfielders potentially available, virtually every single one of them at half the price of Rice, te fact a lot of them are technically better on the ball doesnt especially to me think they would be more effective as a signing fo rus, I think Rice would be a good signing....the fact they are half the price though added to that, rules im out for me. Id pay £80m for Grealish just as he is so unique in what he brings, Rice isnt, but he is a good player and he is still only 21/22 isnt he. That is kind of forgotten when we have so many good players at the moment 21 or under at the same time, but it is relevant