Ex-Premier League star Tony Cascarino has dismissed Graeme Souness’ claims that Declan Rice is a ‘limited’ player.Appearing on Sports Uncensored after England’s late semi-final collapse against Argentina, Souness laid into Rice, suggesting he would be better deployed as a centre-back.Souness called Rice ‘limited’ as a midfielderWorld Cup UncensoredBut Cascarino was having none of the Liverpool and Scotland legend’s comments.‘Definitely not’Co-hosting with Will Gavin on talkSPORT’s Weekend Sports Breakfast after England’s extraordinary third place play-off win over France on Saturday, former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland star Cascarino was asked if he shared Souness’ view.“No – definitely not limited,” he replied affirmatively.“Declan is a player who I’ve always said he can play a six, an eight; he can play right-back and he can play centre-half.”On the debate as to where Rice should play for England, Cascarino continued: “It’s obvious that midfield [is where he should play], and if he’s got the right type of player… You’ve got offensive players around him.“But I’ve also seen when Declan’s been given a licence to get in the 18-yard box, there’s no reason why he can’t get goals – because [he has] a decent delivery of the ball; he’s good in the air.“I think Declan’s got way more in his locker as an offensive midfielder as well.“You know, what we’ve seen is – in the World Cup – is the consequences of a long, hard season that enabled Arsenal to win the Premier League, and that come with a number of issues for Declan and other Arsenal players…“When you win the Premier League, it takes so much effort to get over that line, and I watch players who have given that, you know, by how many games they play – how many minutes they play – and Declan’s done all of that and we’ve seen a little bit of a downside during this tournament from Declan, without a doubt.”Proud Rice powers throughDespite dealing with a lower back and hamstring problem since Christmas and playing 55 games for Arsenal in all competitions last season, Rice started seven of England’s eight matches at the 2026 World Cup – missing only the final group clash with Panama.Having set up Harry Kane in the Three Lions’ opening 4-2 victory over Croatia, Rice notched a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 6-4 triumph.Rice opened the scoring against France with his first-ever World Cup goalGettyHanded the captain’s armband by Thomas Tuchel with Kane rested, Rice did as Cascarino alluded, capitalising on a loose pass and driving towards the box to fire England ahead inside three minutes.He later swung in a corner for Ezri Konsa to make it 2-0.Bukayo Saka‘s hat-trick in Miami helped England record their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966.And Rice expressed his pride at the Three Lions’ achievement.“This is the best England group for a very long time. That’s a fact. No one can take that away from us,” he told BBC Sport.After the match, England manager Thomas Tuchel was delighted with his side’s response in the 6-4 third-place play-off win over France.He told talkSPORT: “Jordan Henderson put everything into perspective in a very inspiring and very impressive speech in the hotel today before we went to the stadium.“He put it just into perspective from his experience. He was in a semi-final and he was in a match and played for third place.“It’s just like to worship the moment and what it means to play for England in every single match and especially in an official World Cup match.“So it was very impressive. He said it much better than me. Very moving and played a huge part in our performance.”