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James McClean has once again taken aim at Declan Rice, criticizing the England midfielder for his performance in England's Euro 2024 match against Denmark. McClean's recent comments come on the heels of his prior assertion that Rice is 'overrated.'

In a scathing assessment, McClean scrutinized Rice's display during the first half of England's 1-1 draw with Denmark, emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the midfielder's sideways and backward passing style. McClean expressed his disappointment, stating his expectation for more creativity and forward play from the 25-year-old.

During his halftime analysis on RTE Sport, McClean remarked, "For a £100 million player, I want to see more than just five-yard sideways and backwards passes. Denmark won the midfield battle very comfortably in that half."

This isn't McClean's first critique of Rice, as he previously asserted that while Rice is a 'very good footballer,' he falls short of being world-class compared to players like Rodri and Toni Kroos. McClean questioned the level of praise Rice receives from the English media, calling it excessive and emphasizing the disparity between Rice's performance and the expectations set for a player of his caliber.

The former Republic of Ireland international had played alongside Rice at the international level before the latter switched his allegiance to England in 2019, adding a personal dimension to McClean's commentary.

Social media reactions were mixed, with some attributing Rice's subdued performance to Gareth Southgate's tactics, while others defended Rice's role within the team. Fans acknowledged the broader systemic issues within the England setup and criticized the focus on individual players amidst collective underperformance.

As the debate around Rice's form continues, McClean's outspoken remarks have reignited discussions about player expectations and team dynamics at the international level. Rice's response on the field will be closely scrutinized in the coming matches, as England navigates the challenges of Euro 2024.

Stay tuned for further developments on this ongoing saga in the football world.