Rice to make problem position his own as England International

 

It’s been a long time since England have had a defensive lynchpin to their midfield of great note. A number of players have performed the duty well enough in recent memory, but it’s a position that has still been crying out for a player to really make his own.

 

Eric Dier would have hoped to be that player and, at 25, could yet be a long term competitor to anchor the midfield, though he has rotated in and out of the side with Jordan Henderson since Gareth Southgate’s appointment. The fact that neither have really cemented what is an integral role in the team - particularly given the way that the England manager wants his side to play - points to the fact that it’s a spot that is still very much up for grabs.

 

That may well have played into Declan Rice’s thinking as the 20-year-old declared that he was switching his international allegiance from Ireland to England having been born and raised in London. He’s not the first hot prospect to have done so in recent years either, with Jack Grealish also taking the decision to do so, though the West Ham man will no doubt hope to make a more immediate impression on the Three Lions set up.

 

His announcement comes a month before England’s upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers with Czech Republic and Montenegro, and at present there’s very little question that his performances deserve recognition. Both Dier and Henderson have struggled to hold down a starting spot at club level for a number of reasons this season, while Rice is very much a mainstay of the Hammers lineup despite only turning 20 last month.

 

The midfielder has started each of the club’s last 22 league matches after losing three in succession at the start of the season in his absence, and Rice has been a standout performer ever since.

 

The youngster has played a starring role in victory over Arsenal and stalemate with league leaders Liverpool since the turn of the year in particular, having also impressed in a draw with Chelsea, win over Manchester United and narrow defeat to Tottenham earlier in the campaign, making seven tackles against the latter. It’s the competency of those displays against the league’s very best teams that will offer encouragement to Gareth Southgate in particular.

 

 

Rice hasn’t looked overawed by superior opposition but has actually thrived on the increased responsibility on his shoulders to protect the defence. The shield that he offers in that regard is arguably something England have lacked for some time.

 

The 20-year-old still possesses the desired composure on the ball that the Three Lions boss insists upon, but it’s his ability to break up play that will will no doubt have enamoured Southgate. Rice has, after all, made the second most tackles of all Englishman in the Premier League (60), and the most of midfielders eligible for selection.

 

It’s the timing of his challenges that is so impressive for a player of such a young age too, and to have committed just nine fouls given how much work Rice gets through in midfield is quite superb. Moreover, of all players aged 21 and under in Europe’s top five leagues, the West Ham graduate has won possession in the middle third more times than any other (113).

 

That destructive influence on an opponents play is not only crucial to protecting the back four, but for a coach that wants his players to press with intensity and win the ball as high up the pitch as possible, it’s a valuable asset in transitioning from defence to attack. That was an issue in England’s World Cup campaign as the tournament wore on, so Rice’s tenacity and work rate will surely see him capped before long.

Rice to make problem position his own as England International