A full of life debate has emerged round Declan Rice’s long-term legacy following a current episode of Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, the place visitor Joel Beya advised the Arsenal midfielder may finally surpass Steven Gerrard’s profession by way of trophies.
The dialogue has sparked robust reactions, particularly given Gerrard’s iconic standing and Arsenal’s combined historical past with silverware. Rice’s rising affect at Arsenal has already drawn widespread reward, with Mikel Arteta beforehand stating he believes the midfielder can enter the Ballon d’Or dialog if Arsenal obtain sustained success, as reported by SoftFootball.
Beya’s argument was rooted in alternative reasonably than previous achievement. He pointed to Rice’s present atmosphere at Arsenal, a facet constantly competing on the high finish of the Premier League and in Europe, as a platform that might help a powerful trophy haul over time.
Rice’s significance to Arsenal has been underlined repeatedly this season, together with standout performances throughout a number of roles, with Arteta just lately hailing his impression and management, a theme coated by SoftFootball.
Explaining his stance in a video shared by the Rio Ferdinand Presents official X account, Beya acknowledged Gerrard’s greatness whereas stressing that Rice’s state of affairs may result in higher collective success.
He mentioned:
By the tip of his profession it gained’t be loopy to say he’s had a greater profession than Gerrard.
He then added context to that declare, noting:
He’s coming in a zone now the place it’s not, by the tip of his profession, it gained’t be loopy to say he’s had a greater profession than Gerrard or he’s had a, do you see what I imply? Like, and that claims rather a lot contemplating the truth that, no, Stephen Gerrard’s my favorite. Like, he actually is my favorite, nevertheless it’s, it’s, Declan’s at a crew the place he’s received an opportunity the place he may find yourself with extra trophies and internationally as effectively. So, man.
Rio Ferdinand was fast to problem the concept, grounding the dialog in present-day actuality.
He responded by saying:
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I agree with numerous what you mentioned there, however you’re saying he’s received an opportunity to finish up with much more trophies.
After Beya clarified his comparability was particularly to Steven Gerrard, Ferdinand pushed again additional.
He mentioned:
Yeah, however he’s not gained a trophy at Arsenal but.
When Beya tried to proceed, Ferdinand minimize in once more with a pointed reminder:
Arsenal should not famend for successful trophies.
Watch the video under:
As of December 2025, the distinction between the 2 careers stays stark. Rice, now 26, has gained one main trophy, the 2023 Europa Convention League with West Ham. By the identical age, Gerrard had already secured eight trophies, together with the 2001 UEFA Cup and the 2003 FA Cup.
Whereas Rice continues to earn elite-level reward, even from rival managers reminiscent of Enzo Maresca who has described him as a whole participant, additionally famous by SoftFootball, the talk highlights how speculative comparisons could be when historical past and silverware are weighed in opposition to future potential.
