Declan Rice
ArsenalCM
Creative Playmaker
Jan 14, 1999 (27)
Right
6'2"
185 lb
Late call for Wednesday
Rice is still feeling unwell after dealing with illness in recent days, and his availability for Wednesday's semi-finals clash against Argentina is in doubt, although there's hope that he'll reach a complete recovery for the match, Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport reports.
Analysis: Rice has been improving from his ailment, but he did see his participation limited to 45 minutes in the last game versus Norway. The midfielder is a key all-around contributor for his national team, making his status a major concern ahead of the final couple of contests. He has been replaced by Eberechi Eze when England need to focus on attacking, but Kobbie Mainoo is also available as a more defensive-minded alternative in case Rice is not ready for meaningful workload.
Struggles in 45-minute appearance
Rice had three crosses (one accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Norway.
Analysis: Rice was healthy enough to start after recovering from illness and injury, and he took set pieces during his time on the pitch, but he was replaced by Eberechi Eze for the second half against Norway. The defensive midfielder has slowed down after a strong group stage, with his average dropping from 5.0 chances created per game in the first two matches to just 1.0 over three playoff rounds. He's still highly valuable for passes and corner kicks if he stays in the lineup, looking to bounce back in the final couple of World Cup contests.
Starting quarter final
Rice (illness) is starting Saturday's clash with Norway.
Analysis: Rice was expected to recover from his illness in time to get the start Saturday and did just that. The midfielder is back in the starting XI and should be a key part of England's midfield throughout the match. Rice has started every match in the World Cup except a matchday three clash with Panama after the group was already decided.
Returns to training Friday
Rice (illness) took part in training Friday and should be available for Saturday's quarterfinal showdown against Norway, Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Rice missed training Wednesday and Thursday, but he was able to participate with the rest of his teammates Friday, meaning he should be an option for the weekend. If Rice is deemed healthy by the coaching staff, and the latest reports seem to indicate he's trending in the right direction, he should remain in the starting lineup as a holding midfielder next to Elliot Anderson in Thomas Tuchel's 4-2-3-1 tactic.
Still not training, dealt illness
Rice was not in training for a second consecutive day due to an illness, according to Sami Mokbel of the BBC.
Analysis: Rice was once again left out of training as the midfielder recovers from some lingering problems. The midfielder was dealing with a neural issue and is now confirmed to have an illness, making his symptoms worse. It appears this could be a concern, but with another day until their match, he does have time to recover, and the main focus remains on keeping the other players away from the illness, possibly the reason he is missing out. He should still be considered a starter for the team heading into Saturday, although that could quickly change if improvement doesn't come soon.
Misses training, still an option
Rice was not training Wednesday as he does recovery work on a lower back injury, but is expected to still play against Norway on Saturday, according to John Cross of the Mirror.
Analysis: Rice is still dealing with a bit of pain in his back, a persistent issue this World Cup. That has led the midfielder to take training easy and do some recovery work instead of joining the team for training, although this is unlikely to force him to miss time. He should then return to his starting role when facing Norway on Saturday, a major part of the team they cannot do without, as he serves as their anchor in the middle of the pitch.
Two corners in 3-2 win
Rice recorded one cross (zero accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 3-2 victory over Mexico. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 1st minute.
Analysis: Rice was relatively quiet as England won 3-2 against Mexico to book their place in the quarter-finals against Norway and his fellow Arsenal teammate Martin Odegaard. He took two corners, which were his fewest in the tournament so far, with the previous lowest being five. He had to be careful in the game as he was booked within the first minute. He also made two blocks and clearance.
Starting as expected
Rice (back) is part of England's starting XI to face Mexico on Sunday.
Analysis: Rice won't be forced to miss the World Cup round of 16 match after being questionable prior to the game. However, the central man has been playing through discomfort and may struggle to complete the full 90 minutes. Despite being tested as a full-back due to England's injury situation, Rice will feature in his regular midfield position, with Jarell Quansah operating in the wide defensive spot. The Arsenal player has excelled in creative duties throughout the tournament, taking plenty of set pieces and averaging 4.0 chances created per game while providing one assist over three appearances.
Likely to be available
Rice has been managing a neural problem affecting his hamstring and lower back throughout the tournament and was substituted in injury time of the win over DR Congo, though he is likely to be available to start Sunday's round of 16 clash against Mexico, according to Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport.
Analysis: Rice has been soldiering through the issue throughout the World Cup, with manager Thomas Tuchel insisting there is no structural injury despite the significant discomfort. The Arsenal captain will aim to be fit enough to start against Mexico at altitude in Mexico City, with his availability considered likely despite the ongoing pain management. Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo would be the likely replacements if the Gunner can't make it.
Playing through pain
Rice is dealing with lower back and neural pain, which has affected his hamstrings, and is considered an injury doubt for the Round of 16 clash against Mexico on Sunday, John Cross of The Mirror reports.
Analysis: Even though Thomas Tuchel revealed "there's no injury" with Rice and that "I think he'll recover," it's worth mentioning that Rice has had fitness issues throughout the World Cup. The Arsenal star, who closed out the win over DR Congo at right-back due to tactical needs and a subpar showing from Djed Spence, will try to recover in time to start in a tough matchup against El Tri at the altitude of Mexico City. If Rice isn't fit enough to play, Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo would be logical replacements, though Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze could also be alternatives, as well as Reece James (hamstring), to play in the middle of the park.
12 crosses in win
Rice had 12 crosses (four accurate) and five corners in Wednesday's 2-1 win against the DR Congo.
Analysis: Rice sent in 12 crosses and took five corners during Wednesday's win, but he didn't make a big impact on the match. He couldn't find the killer ball to set up Harry Kane and co. at the top of the formation. The midfielder has been excellent throughout the tournament and should be back in a huge role when England take on Mexico next time out.
Added to bench
Rice (calf) is on the bench for Saturday's clash with Panama.
Analysis: Rice was a doubt coming into the match, and in the end he hasn't been risked for the finale of the group stage. England should have more than enough firepower to beat Panama even without Rice, as Morgan Rogers steps into the starting XI. Rice should be fully fit and ready to start barring any setbacks ahead of the knockout stage.
Deemed fit to face Panama
Rice (calf) is an option for Saturday's match against Panama, according to manager Thomas Tuchel, per Dom Smith of The Standard. "Elliot and Declan were training today. They had minor issues after the match, but they had enough time to recover. So everyone except for Reece is available, and we will take the decision [on who starts the game] tomorrow."
Analysis: Rice was coming into Saturday's match with some doubt, but will end up being an option, with the midfielder set to make the team sheet against Panama. However, it appears unlikely he will feature from the start, potentially even being sat out the entire match to be cautious. That said, the calf issue is not the only thing to worry about, as he also sits on a yellow card and looks to avoid a suspension. Kobbie Mainoo will likely enter the starting XI in his place.
Training but still doubtful
Rice (calf) is back in training but remains a doubt for Saturday's match against Panama, according to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian.
Analysis: Rice has returned to training and eased concerns after leaving the Ghana match with his left calf heavily strapped and a noticeable limp, but coach Thomas Tuchel still faces a genuine dilemma over whether to start his midfield leader against Panama. With England almost through and Rice on a yellow card, the case for protecting him is strong. That would open the door for Kobbie Mainoo to earn his first start of the tournament, with Jordan Henderson also available if Tuchel prefers experience in the role.
Injury seems minor, will be assessed
Rice limped out of Boston Stadium following England's goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday with heavy strapping on his left calf, though early indications suggest the issue is not serious, and he will be assessed ahead of Saturday's clash with Panama , according to Sami Mokbel of BBC.
Analysis: Rice limped out of Boston Stadium after the Ghana draw with his left calf wrapped in heavy strapping and the image alone was enough to set alarm bells ringing in the England camp. While the early signs are not believed to point to anything serious the injury adds another layer of concern for a player who was already being managed through nerve pain in his hamstring having been substituted in the Croatia game. Thomas Tuchel and his staff now face the difficult task of weighing up whether to risk him against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday or protect him with the knockout rounds in mind. That decision carries enormous weight given Rice's role as the engine of England's midfield and the fact that no straightforward replacement exists for what he provides.
Creates six chances versus Ghana
Rice recorded three shots (zero on goal), 12 crosses (three accurate), six chances created and nine corners in Tuesday's 0-0 draw versus Ghana. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 41st minute.
Analysis: Rice's set-piece activity allowed him to generate significant playmaking production, which was more than enough to make up for the yellow card he received during the draw. However, the holding midfielder was denied an assist this time after setting up one goal in the World Cup opener versus Croatia. In any case, his average of 5.0 chances created per game is now the highest figure among all players in the competition.
Earns assist, shakes off injury concerns
Rice recorded one assist on four chances created and has denied any sort of injury after his early substitution, the player told Arthur Ferridge of The Standard. "All good, good as gold. Just what I've been nursing, probably, in the second half of the season at Arsenal, little neural pains here and there. But yeah, I'm all good, I'm all fine, just precaution, and I'll be back out there again against Ghana."
Analysis: Rice had himself a great opening match Wednesday, earning an assist on the second goal of the match when he found the head of Harry Kane off a corner kick. He would add so much more in the attack with a shot, four chances created and nine crosses, although the assist was his only goal contribution. He was also the only England player to take a corner Wednesday with eight, a huge addition to his value. The good news moving forward is that his early exit was not due to injury and was only a precautionary substitution, still likely to start against Ghana.
Undisputed midfield leader
Rice has been named in England's World Cup squad and is expected to be the undisputed first-choice defensive midfielder throughout the competition, the player around whom manager Tuchel's entire system is constructed.
Analysis: Rice ended the season having been one of the most important players in Arsenal's Premier League title-winning campaign, contributing four goals and seven assists across 36 appearances and playing a vital role both in protecting the defense and initiating attacks from deep. The Englishman brings an unrivalled combination of defensive intelligence, physicality and technical quality that makes him irreplaceable in England's midfield, and his ability to cover ground, win the ball and transition quickly in both directions has made him one of the best midfielders in the world over the past two seasons. Rice heads into the World Cup as one of the most important players in the squad and the defensive heartbeat of a Three Lions side with serious aspirations of going all the way at this tournament.
Delivers solid display
Rice recorded eight crosses (two accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 1-0 victory versus West Ham United.
Analysis: Rice delivered a strong performance in Sunday's 1-0 win at West Ham, sending in a dangerous inswinging free kick in the first half that Riccardo Calafiori flicked toward goal before Konstantinos Mavropanos cleared off the line in what was his side's closest chance of the opening period, while adding eight crosses, one tackle and five clearances. Rice has registered four goals and five assists across 35 Premier League appearances this season, with his set-piece delivery and box-to-box presence contributing to several key moments in his side's title push.
Whips in three crosses
Rice had three crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Manchester City.
Analysis: Rice would play the full 90 as usual Sunday but struggled to get his club the second goal they needed so badly, forced to defend against a highly active City attack. His best moments came with his three crosses and one chance created, as he now awaits another match for a league goal contribution, with his last coming March 1.
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