Rice was signed by Arsenal from West Ham United in 2023 for a then-Premier League record fee of £105 million.
By Kehinde Okeowo
British pundit and former England striker Ian Wright has suggested that Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice could win the Ballon d’Or this season.
He made the claim recently while discussing the Gunners’ Premier League tie with Newcastle United on the Stick to Football podcast.
According to the Arsenal legend, if Mikel Arteta and his men win both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League (UCL), Rice should pick up football’s top individual prize.
However, Wright noted that winning only the domestic league might result in Rice securing just the Premier League Player of the Year award.
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Speaking on the show, he said: “If Arsenal win the Premier League, Declan Rice has to win Premier League POTY. And if Arsenal win the Champions League, Rice should also win the Ballon d’Or.”
Should Arsenal win their game against Newcastle, they will leapfrog Manchester City in the Premier League table.
Rice was signed by Arsenal from West Ham United in 2023 for a then-Premier League record fee of £105 million.
Since joining the North London club, the England international has become a mainstay in the midfield, proving vital to Arteta’s title charge.
