I said this elsewhere, but when I mean he's not the best as an 8, I'm thinking of how he compares to a Silva, Ode or De Bruyne. That's why I'm keen on Paqueta or if Vieira would come good, because those are players who can rack up 10-15 assists a season from open play.
Rice is a different profile of player and is more of a 7 like a Vieira, then he is an 8. He can contribute to the attack, but he's even better protecting the 6 and the midfield morphs into a pyramid than it does an inverted pyramid when he plays. So having another creative 8 who is like Ode is what I would target in the summer, so that way we have even more tactical flexibility.
Regardless, he's been exceptional this season and is in worthy contention for POTS.
