Home Football Declan Rice ‘useless’ according to Rafael van der Vaart, former Spurs star feels Arsenal paid too much for the midfielder based on his performance in England’s Euros final loss to Spain

Declan Rice ‘useless’ according to Rafael van der Vaart, former Spurs star feels Arsenal paid too much for the midfielder based on his performance in England’s Euros final loss to Spain

Football — 07/15/2024

Following England’s 2-1 loss against Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, Rafael van der Vaart targeted Declan Rice.

In Germany, Rice participated in every minute of England’s seven-game campaign, including Sunday’s entire ninety.

But the Arsenal midfielder’s performance did not satisfy former Netherlands and Tottenham star Van der Vaart.

Rice, who cost Arsenal £105million when he signed from London rivals West Ham in July last year, attempted 40 passes against Spain – more than any of his team-mates.

Van van Vaart, meanwhile, criticised the 25-year-old for not passing more those passes forward.

Declan Rice pictured looking dejected after England's 2-1 defeat by Spain in the Euros final+5View gallery

Declan Rice pictured looking dejected after England’s 2-1 defeat by Spain in the Euros final

Arsenal midfielder Rice played the full 90 minutes for England in Berlin on Sunday night+5View gallery

Arsenal midfielder Rice played the full 90 minutes for England in Berlin on Sunday night

Rafael van der Vaart, pictured in 2022, was very critical of Rice based on Sunday's match

Speaking on NOS in his homeland, 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 has now represented England 58 times at senior international level following his Sunday performance.

Of 20 outings, nineteen have taken place in big events.

Rice pictured walking past the trophy with a silver medal around his neck after Sunday's final+5View gallery

Rice pictured walking past the trophy with a silver medal around his neck after Sunday’s final

Van der Vaart was one of Tottenham's best players during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons+5View gallery

Over the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, Van der Vaart was among Tottenham’s top players.

Over his playing career, Van der Vaart, who scored 28 goals in 77 appearances for Spurs between 2010 and 2012, was capped 109 times by the Netherlands.

He scored 25 goals for his nation, one at Euro 2012.