Having managed in the Premier League for over two decades, David Moyes has had the best seat in a multitude of stadiums to witness some of the greatest players to have played on the English shores.
At Everton, Manchester United and West Ham United, Moyes has faced Manchester City on several occasions.
Naturally, the Scot has a better understanding than most on the talent they have possessed over the years.
For instance, when David Moyes was quizzed about whether Phil Foden was performing at a standard to remain on the pitch in England’s 1-0 win against Serbia, he described the question as “ridiculous” and labelled him as a “terrific player.”
Foden has scored four times against Moyes’ West Ham side, including a brilliant brace to seal City’s latest Premier League title win during his final game in charge of the club.
The Glaswegian’s defence of the much-maligned Englishman during the European Championship was an example of how opposition managers view certain players in contrast to public perception.
Simultaneously, David Moyes has managed a plethora of remarkable players as well.
David Moyes says Declan Rice has got “a lot to do” to become as good as Man City stalwart
The name that jumps off the page is Wayne Rooney.
More recently, Moyes worked with Declan Rice; playing a major role in his rise as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
The former Preston North End boss also promoted Rice to West Ham’s first-team in 2015.
David Moyes also bestowed the England international with the honour of taking over from the retired Mark Noble to become the Hammers captain in the 2022/2023 season.
As a result, if there is any coach who understands how terrific a player the Arsenal midfielder is, it is Moyes.
However, even David Moyes has admitted that Rice still has plenty to do to be on par with Rodri — who he is often compared to.
Speaking to the Up Front podcast, he said: “He’s still got a lot to be maybe, Rodri. Rodri is immense at the moment. But I think Dec’s got the capabilities to do that as well. But he’s still youthful, which people mustn’t forget.”
In July, even Arsenal legend Paul Merson claimed that Rodri is a superior holding midfielder to Rice.
Former midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas also stated that “at this moment”, the £62.5 million man is better than the UEFA Europa Conference League winner.
A testament to how brilliant Rodri is that David Moyes made Declan Rice admission
It would have been fair for David Moyes to side with Rice over Rodri in terms of which number six he prefers, considering the former helped him as much as he did during his successful spell at West Ham.
But it seems like Moyes put his affinity towards the 25-year-old aside to appreciate the Manchester City midfielder’s brilliance.
Having worked with Rice for eight years, the veteran also has a better understanding than most on the areas where he can polish his game.
David Moyes feels that Rodri, at this moment in time remains a better player, despite how well the Englishman has done in making the step-up from West Ham to Arsenal.
If Rice comes across his former manager’s admission, he might be fired up to further improve as a player.
As for Rodri, he would perhaps appreciate Moyes hailing him for the force of nature he is known to be.
