Declan Rice is a winner, and the Ballon d'Or standings could inspire him
Henry Winter said he gave his own Ballon d'Or vote to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, the most important name in the squad. According to the writer, Rice's habit of winning and his performance this season make him the club's most important player.
Arsenal won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final. Even so, the club's highest-placed player in the Ballon d'Or vote finished only 15th. This has disappointed players and fans, and it could become an additional source of motivation for the team.
Winter is one of the names on the voting jury. He wrote that he wanted to vote for Rice and gave him a point by placing him 10th. According to the writer, Rice should have been named Player of the Year, but that award went to Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes.
Winter explained that he backed Rice because he is a winning player. He reminded readers that the Ballon d'Or is based on individual performance, team success and being a role model. He noted that Rice stands out in all three areas, has made five assists this season and plays the game the right way.
The writer sees Rice as the natural successor to Patrick Vieira. In the match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Rice made the quick overlap and cross that led to Kai Havertz's goal. He then showed constant and active resistance during Liverpool's dangerous moments. Winter also wrote that Rice has responded positively to Mikel Arteta's call for him to get forward more often.
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