talkSPORT wants West Ham United star Declan Rice in England defence over Harry Maguire
Declan Rice should be used in defence for England because the West Ham captain can “play that position blindfolded” according to Tony Cascarino.
Embattled Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire has come under sustained scrutiny over the past year, and after the Three Lions were beaten again on Friday night (23 September) by Italy to be relegated from their Nations League group the talkSPORT pundit wants changes for the World Cup.
Rice himself has been short of the form that had manager David Moyes put a £150million price tag on his head, and started the defeat in Milan in his customary midfield, but is a capable defender and was a prime target for Frank Lampard at the position when the Everton boss was in charge at Chelsea.
On talkSPORT Saturday morning (24 September) Cascarino said: “I’ve banged on about this for ages, and I’m going to drive people mad about this – the best way for England to play is a four [at the back].
“And I really think the best person to play in a four, because he’s quick as well, is Declan Rice at the heart of England’s defence. Absolute centre-half.
“Playing alongside someone like John Stones, having that pace is going to be really important to England in a back-four.
“Declan could play that position blindfolded. He’s a natural defender.
“I keep envisaging Harry Maguire on the left side of a three – it’s a place where Kylian Mbappe plays – if Kylian Mbappe even gets close to being in a one-on-one, Harry Maguire’s in total trouble.”
Problems
Clearly Gareth Southgate has issues with his side at the moment, and while Maguire has largely been better for the national team during a period of sustained success than he has at Old Trafford there won’t be many who have confidence in him on the turn against the likes of the French star.
To be fair to him, Rice wouldn’t have much of a chance against Mbappe either in the same situation, but there could be some mileage in the idea that the West Ham star is suitable for the England defence, in a three or a four.
Fikayo Tomori will no doubt be wondering what everyone’s problem is with him in this country, as Lampard overlooked him at Stamford Bridge just as Southgate largely is now while he continues to impress in Serie A with AC Milan.
The central midfield is also light though, and if Rice is moved from there then it leaves a big gap with Kalvin Phillips injured and Jordan Henderson short of football.
Jude Bellingham is a star in the making but he can’t handle the whole job on his own, so wherever Rice is used will leave somewhere else lacking.
There is a temptation to go overboard in reacting to the Nations League games, which not so long ago would have been only friendlies, and if Southgate has a plan for the World Cup then fine, but the recent record is poor.
But with so many players off form for their clubs, including most worryingly for Irons fans Rice and Jarrod Bowen, the national team will also suffer, just as Cascarino himself has warned in the past week.
Rice has become a bonafide star in midfield, and his ability to play in defence is part of what makes him such a target for Premier League rivals, but West Ham are struggling just as England are currently and both could do with seeing more of the 23-year-old at his best.