Recruiting free-kick hero Declan Rice: chasing lost points or smart strategy?

DECLAN RICE (£4.5m) shocked the football world on Tuesday night.

Arsenal’s all-action midfielder scored two sensational free-kicks to help his side beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

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Rice channelled David Beckham, Juninho Pernambucano and Lionel Messi all at once to produce a set-piece masterclass that will live long in the memory.

The England international banked 19 Dream Team points for his efforts to add to the six he earned against Everton at the weekend.

His combined haul of 25 points is unmatched this Gameweek although Brennan Johnson (£2.8m) may catch up if given substantial minutes when Tottenham host Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The point is that Rice is very much in the spotlight but would it be wise to transfer him in prior to Gameweek 31?

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Dream Team managers know not to chase lost points; transfers should always be made in relation to what comes next, not what’s already happened.

It’s unlikely Rice will ever repeat what he did at the Emirates on Tuesday night, let alone in his very appearance.

However, while it would be unreasonable to expect another brace of stunning free-kicks, there’s enough evidence to suggest the 26-year-old is a viable option.

With 242 points to his name, Rice ranks joint-sixth among players in his position.

Predominantly viewed as a defensive midfielder, his attacking contributions should not be underestimated.

Rice now has 15 goal contributions (seven goals, eight assists) this season and he ranks seventh among all players for bonus points with 39.

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Against Real Madrid, he used his ball-striking ability to breach Thibaut Courtois but all season long he has used his set-piece prowess to provide opportunities for his team-mates.

In fact, only Mohamed Salah (£7.5m) has created more big chances in 2024/25 (all competitions).

Rice’s whipped deliveries have been a key factor in Arsenal’s fruitful set-pieces this campaign, particularly from corners.

A quick look at the schedule suggests this is a good time for Dream Team bosses to stock up on Mikel Arteta’s favourites.

The Gunners are one of just three teams set to fulfil four fixtures across the next two Gameweeks.

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In Gameweek 31, Arsenal host Brentford in the Premier League before travelling to Madrid.

Then in Gameweek 32, they visit relegation-bound Ipswich before welcoming Crystal Palace to the Emirates.

Some gaffers may be perturbed by the fact Arsenal are currently scheduled to blank in Gameweek 33 but that will change if they progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League, now a highly likely outcome.

Rice’s brilliant free-kicks may have come and gone but there could be more points to come in the near future.

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