Graeme Souness has launched a bizarre criticism of Declan Rice, claiming he plays "old man's football" and is "cheating" in midfield for Arsenal.
Rice won Arsenal's player of the season award for the second year in a row after his leading role in the Premier League title-winning campaign.
The 27-year-old played 69 matches in all for club and country last season, despite contending with neural pain in his hamstring.
He was beaten to the PFA player of the year award by Bruno Fernandes, though many argued Rice was unfortunate not to pick up that prize.
However, Souness has not been impressed with what he has seen from Rice in Arsenal's midfield.
The former Liverpool player and manager has claimed that the Englishman does not offer enough as a midfielder, and should be shifted into defence instead.
“How many times do you see him as the last man with the ball,” Souness told Piers Morgan on Football Uncensored.
“In the build-up, he’s last man. He’s sitting between two centre-halves or between the centre-half and the full-back. He’s last man. A lot of the time, he doesn’t play in midfield.
He’s the best defensive midfielder in the country right now, he smells danger. But then again, he’s back there all the time
Graeme Souness on Declan Rice
“In my second or third home game (of my career), I went into the back four like all midfield players do today. It’s old man’s football. It’s cheating. An old man’s way of playing midfield. You get the ball under no pressure and you play it out to the full-back.
“He’s the best defensive midfielder in the country right now, he smells danger. But then again, he’s back there all the time.
“He’s not a midfield player then is he? I think he may be a centre-half. The ball travels faster than you do. I see him run with the ball 30 yards and pass it square.
"Modern players are a bit precious. Criticism doesn’t fall easily on these (players’) shoulders. He isn’t the complete midfield player.”
Rice has proved to be one of Arsenal's best signings in their recent history, transforming the midfield and ensuring there has been little debate over his £105million price tag ever since he joined from West Ham.
Despite his role in Arsenal's elevation from challengers to champions, Souness does not believe Rice would fit into Europe's other top sides.
“I’m not sure if he gets in Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Man City team," Souness said.
"If you want the best in that position, City had two of them – Fernandinho and Rodri. They played in midfield.
"Next time, please watch him. He goes in and gets it cheap under no pressure, a 10-yard pass off Gabriel, and passes it sideways.”
