West Ham United: Declan Rice ‘certain’ to start for England v Senegal – Sky Sports reporter
West Ham captain Declan Rice is a “certain pick” to start for England against Senegal on Sunday (4 December), according to Rob Dorsett.
The Sky Sports reporter has indicated that the 23-year-old will partner Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham in the middle of the park, as he has done for all three group matches in Qatar.
Dorsett has also reported that Gareth Southgate has prepared for penalties should it get that far against the reigning champions of Africa but did not clarify whether Rice would take one of the five mandated spot kicks.
“Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are certain picks in the midfield, and Jordan Henderson could well get the nod ahead of Mason Mount, because of his extra experience and stabilising presence,” Dorsett said.
Rice has only scored two goals in his England career so far and is yet to find the net at the World Cup despite England scoring nine times in the group stage [six against Iran and three against Wales].
Integral
Much like in 1966, England are being held together by West Ham United glue and Rice is as strong as any adhesive on the footballing market.
In terms of defensive midfielders, he ranks right near the very top in almost every thinkable category and Southgate has trusted him to sit in front of either a back four or back five for a number of years now.
There will have been no thought in his mind to rest or drop the Hammers sensation for the first knockout game against Senegal who possess a very physical team and one that can cause problems to any side.
They are, of course, without star player Sadio Mane through injury but they should still be a threat to England which will bring Rice into the limelight whenever a Three Lions attack breaks down.
He has been exceptional at that so far in this tournament but the further England go into the competition, the better the opposition will be and they have to be prepared for anything.