Antonio Conte has aimed somewhat of a dig at West Ham and England star Declan Rice.
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The Hammers midfielder has been exceptional for the Three Lions at Euro 2020 this summer.
Rice has played an integral role behind England’s run to the final.
The fact that Gareth Southgate’s side have coincided just one goal in six games at the Euros says all you need to know about the 22-year-old.
He has clearly been instructed to sit deep and protect his back four. And Dec hasn’t put a foot wrong.
Antonio Conte aims dig at Declan Rice
Despite Rice’s incredible form for England at the Euro’s, Conte highlighted one of his apparent weaknesses.
The former Chelsea boss spoke to the Evening Standard and suggested that the 22-year-old often chooses the simple option when in possession:
“A weak spot for England is that if their defence is pressed when building out from the back, they aren’t as good as Spain at escaping the press. However, if you are ultra-attacking in your press and they do escape, then watch out for their pace up front. There are two very physical midfielders like Rice and Phillips, who bring balance, but very few vertical passes, often going for the simple option.”
Either Conte hasn’t watched many West Ham or England games over the past couple of years or he is playing some mind-games with Rice and the Three Lions ahead of Sunday’s EURO 2020 final.
The 22-year-old is actually a superb passer of the ball.
He has been dictating the tempo of England’s build-up play, so often he does win possession and move the ball on to another player quickly.
In no way whatsoever is he always choosing the simple option, however. That’s just a lazy observation from Conte.
And hopefully Dec can make the former Chelsea boss eat his words come 10 o’clock Sunday night.
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