‘World-class already’ - Declan Rice’s special quality highlighted by former Arsenal midfielder as Premier League title winner becomes a Ballon d’Or contender

Having crossed London when swapping West Ham for Arsenal in 2023, with a record-breaking £105 million ($139m) transfer fee changing hands, Rice has made no secret of the fact that he wants to compete for the most prestigious of trophies.

Conference League glory was savoured as captain of the Hammers, before becoming a Premier League title winner at Emirates Stadium in 2025-26. The Champions League final has also been graced by a midfielder that is considered by many to be a future Three Lions captain.

That position is not up for grabs at present - as it remains filled by Harry Kane - but World Cup immortality is being pursued in North America. If that crown were to be captured, then Rice would become a serious contender for Golden Ball recognition and the title of ‘best player on the planet’.

Quizzed on whether those heights will be hit, ex-Gunners star Schwarz - speaking in association with the Declan Rice Ballon D’or odds that have already been priced up - told GOAL: “He's world-class already. You can see what influence he has when Arsenal plays and even England.

“He's not just playing for himself. Of course he wants to have very good performances, and he's very consistent on a high level, but what makes him great is how much he improves his team-mates around him with his own performances, with his leadership skills and communication. He's a great, great leader which you always want to have in your team to be successful.”

Rice has already been likened to a few greats from the recent past, with his ability to inspire others considered to place him in a talent pool alongside some of the greatest midfielders that England have ever produced.

Ex-Three Lions international Peter Reid has told GOAL of Rice: “I think he's a massive influence on the park. Top player, top player. Bryan Robson was a top player, so if I'm mentioning them two in the same breath, it just shows you how I regard Declan Rice. Terrific footballer. I've seen a lot of talk of comparing him to Bryan Robson. I think he's up there.

“I mean, Stevie G was an outstanding footballer, brilliant. He's up there in the top echelon of midfield players. Both sides of the game - getting the ball, handling the football, reading the situations, defensively, attacking-wise. You don't get any better.”

Former Arsenal star Henri Lansbury has told GOAL, with Rice being compared to another iconic title-winning skipper from the Premier League era: “Big statement best in the world, but he's definitely up there. He's come into that role and really gripped it for himself and he looks phenomenal in that team.

“I really want them to give him the captain's armband and make him the focal point of that team and build around him because he's a bit like a Roy Keane of Man United isn't he? He could really grip that up and put the armband on and take that team to the next level.”

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