Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur forward Dimitar Berbatov has named three midfield players he believes are ahead of Arsenal’s Declan Rice in form. Berbatov singled out Paris Saint‑Germain’s Vitinha, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Manchester City’s Rodri as the elite midfielders of the moment, even after Rice helped Arsenal beat Liverpool 1‑0 at Anfield on 2 November 2026.
What did Berbatov say about the three midfielders?
Berbatov told Metro that while Rice is a “good” player, the trio he mentioned are “still the best at the moment”. He added, “He brings a lot of energy to every game, you know what you get with Declan Rice, and he is a real leader.”
Why does Berbatov still value Rice?
Despite ranking the Englishman below his chosen three, the former Bulgarian international praised Rice’s importance to Mikel Arteta’s side, calling him a “dependable leader” who supplies “tremendous energy” in midfield.
What concerns did Berbatov raise about Rice’s workload?
Berbatov warned that the festive fixture congestion could tire the England international. He suggested Arsenal might consider resting Rice for a match or two, noting, “For Arsenal, he is very important, and probably he should come off to rest a little bit because there are many games coming from now until December in this busy period.”
How has Rice performed recently?
Rice earned the Man of the Match award for his decisive assist to Kai Havertz’s winning goal in the Liverpool clash. He then completed the full 90 minutes as Arsenal defeated Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
What lies ahead for Arsenal?
The Gunners face Hull City on Saturday, leaving manager Mikel Arteta to decide whether to keep Rice on the pitch or grant him a brief respite to preserve his stamina for the demanding weeks ahead.
Overall, Berbatov’s assessment highlights the high standards set by Europe’s top midfielders while acknowledging Rice’s pivotal role in Arsenal’s current campaign.