Is it out of the question to suggest that the Arsenal midfielder could win the Ballon d’Or if Declan Rice helps England qualify for the World Cup next month?
Why not? After all, he has been the catalyst and change-maker for Mikel Arteta’s huge outfit, the star of the show, upholding his manager’s ideals and implementing his ideas.
Manager Thomas Tuchel recently described the 27-year-old as “one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment” and who could argue with that? Rice is the consummate leader, a great technician, and drives the team forward.
Still, Arteta and Emirates technical director Andrea Berta are approaching the summer transfer window with a focus on making changes in the middle of the park to find an elite partner for the England superstar.
There’s no question that Arsenal’s attack could use some improvements this summer, but midfield reinforcements could certainly help Arteta’s system move closer to Champions League-winning levels.
Martin Ødegaard left something to be desired, while Martin Zvimendi suffered a slump towards the end of the season, partly due to physical and mental fatigue, but also due to a lack of physicality and dynamism.
According to Corriere della Sera via Sport Witness, Arsenal are in contact with Manu Kone’s entourage with the aim of sealing a deal for the AS Roma midfielder this summer.
Kone, 25, is one of Serie A’s top midfielders and could be signed for around 50 million euros (about 4.3 billion yen) this summer, with Roma seeing him as one of their most lucrative players even after qualifying for the Champions League.
Why Kone could be Arsenal’s new Patrick Vieira
Rice is a phenomenon, arguably Arsenal’s best midfielder since the days of Patrick Vieira. But if Arteta brings Kone into his squad this summer, he may find it is the Frenchman who produces more accurately Vieira-esque performances in north London.
The Roma star has played a key role in the team’s return to the Champions League since the 2018/19 season, and while not quite as good as Rice, that doesn’t mean his fitness and natural progressiveness won’t help him play a similar role to Vieira, who starred under Arsene Wenger all those years ago.
“”monstrous“Kone is someone who could make a big difference to an Arsenal team that is already finding its touch to win titles,” says midfielder and talent scout Jacek Kulig.
League form (2025/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | rice | connection |
Match (start) | 36(35) | 29(28) |
Goal + Assist | 4+5 | 2+3 |
touch* | 76.9 | 61.4 |
Exact path* | 51.8 (87%) | 42.7 (90%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 17 | 4 |
Key pass* | 1.8 | 0.9 |
Loss of ownership* | 13.8 | 8.5 |
Successful. dribble* | 0.4 (50%) | 1.0 (62%) |
Ball recovery rate* | 5.0 | 4.4 |
Tackle + Interception* | 2.9 | 2.3 |
clearance* | 2.2 | 2.9 |
Win a duel* | 4.0 (60%) | 5.3 (50%) |
Coane may not be as sharp a duelist as Rice, but he will be the perfect complement to the Three Lions’ sense, pushing the game forward with more regularity and intensity than his opponents.
In that respect, Arsenal will be able to achieve the perfect midfield balance, something they have not yet achieved this season. There may not have been enough dynamism in the engine room, as Zvimendi only completed a successful dribble once every five games on average.
Are we being boring? True, but Arsenal are the champions of England and Arteta’s over-the-top tactical nature has paid dividends in their quest for the title.
Kone, like his legendary compatriot, has played much of his football in Italy, but a move to the Emirates will see him enjoy his richest years there. The Arteta era is here to stay and connections will only strengthen the project.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal make a deal, but Kone’s solid, all-action presence could cement him as the perfect counterpoint to Rice, bringing Vieira’s relentless energy to complete the best midfield in English football.
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