Tony Cascarino calls for Declan Rice to switch positions for England
Tony Cascarino believes West Ham star Declan Rice should switch positions for England and play as a central defender as he’s better than current options.
Rice has excelled as a central midfielder for club and country and has become one of the first names on the teamsheet.
But Cascarino, speaking on the talkSPORT breakfast show [April 2, 6:48], believes Gareth Southgate should look to use him as a centre back at times to allow Jude Bellingham to excel and because he’s better than their current options at the back.
“So you’ve got Kalvin Phillips, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. Three tremendous midfielders, and add Jordan Henderson. So four,” he said.
“England have got four terrific midfield players and they’ve got terrific players in ever position. But if they ever have an issue, I really believe he can play at the back. If you play three at the back Declan Rice will cruise that position. Why? Because he’s exactly the same as Paul McGrath.
“Paul McGrath was really quick, really powerful, really comfortable on the ball, great in the air. He had everything, that’s why he was so good. Declan’s got all of them traits Paul McGrath had.
“It wouldn’t be out of position for him. Gareth might go with a three or a back four, we don’t know. If he went for a three he’d probably go with John Stones, maybe Ben White and Maguire. Conor Coady as well if you want to put four in there.
“I think he’d be every bit as good as them, and better. So as good as what their qualities are at defending, he can do that.
“I would want to use him in that position to free up Bellingham to get him in the midfield as well, because Bellingham offers a bit of a goal threat.
“You cannot ignore Declan Rice as being a central defender, whether it’s in a three or a two. It would be a breeze for Declan Rice.”
Point well made
Rice is capable of playing in defence and in midfield, and while you may not get the absolute best from him as a centre-back he’s more than capable of performing there.
If, for England, that means getting an overall better performance from the team then maybe it is something that Southgate can look at in the future, especially at the World Cup.
Harry Maguire’s form has been poor and we’d sooner see Rice in the back line than Ben White, Conor Coady or Tyrone Mings if up against elite attackers like Kylian Mbappe or Cristiano Ronaldo.
His flexibility and versatility is another huge reason as to why he’s so indispensable for both club and country, and he is a true leader on and off the pitch.
Cascarino made his point well, although it’s an argument as to whether Rice has already surpassed McGrath. It’s definitely something to consider.
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