How £105m move pushed Declan Rice up 'two or three levels'

Declan Rice’s £105 million switch to Arsenal has been credited with pushing him up “two or three levels”, former England captain Terry Butcher said while speaking in association with Domino’s ‘Shirtiette’ campaign. The transfer helped place Rice among a global elite as a Premier League winner, World Cup hopeful, Ballon d’Or contender and a likely future England skipper.

Butcher likened the effect to his own move to Rangers in 1986, arguing that joining a club with greater history, expectation and scrutiny forces a player to raise both the mental and physical side of their game. He said the extra responsibility at a bigger club mirrors the step up required when captaining the national team.

On the field, Butcher praised Rice’s versatility and leadership, noting his ability to get forward, recover defensively and drive the midfield. Rice played a key role as Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title in 2026, becoming the first Gunners side to lift the trophy since the 2003–04 ‘Invincibles’.

England

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