Times journo shares ‘selfless’ Declan Rice view on West Ham United star role in England side
The Times Tom Roddy believes Jordan Henderson’s goal for England against Senegal wouldn’t have happened if Declan Rice wasn’t on the pitch, as the West Ham captain gears up to face France.
Rice has returned to full England training with The Mirror suggesting (8 December) that the 23-year-old is in line to start against Didier Deschamps’ men.
Roddy has highlighted the “important” role the West Ham captain plays for England and believes he’s playing a “selfless” role in front of the back four at the moment.
“His role in this team has been so important but also selfless because he sees himself as having the ability to do what Bellingham has done and to have the ability to do what Henderson has done,” said Roddy (The Game Podcast, 9 December).
“Actually he’s been that insurance screen in front of the defence which allows Bellingham to get forward and show the quality that he has. Henderson’s goal against Senegal doesn’t happen if you don’t have Rice in the team.”
Come on Dec
The European Championship final was one of the biggest games of Rice’s career but this match against France has a significant feel to it. England know that a victory will put them firmly among the favourites to win the World Cup. It feels as if the squad is far better suited to actually go on and get the job done.
This squad have experienced heartache before and have learnt from it and now they have a huge chance to reach back-to-back World Cup semi-finals for the first time. Rice’s role against France will be absolutely vital. Antoine Griezmann will look to pick up pockets of space and dictate play.
If he’s allowed space, the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé will see more of the ball. If Rice can be aggressive and make life hard for the Atletico Madrid star, then it could go a long way to getting Gareth Southgate’s side into the last four.