Jonty Banks

Sat 10 December 2022 9:40, UK

West Ham United captain Declan Rice is set to be named in England’s starting XI for their blockbuster World Cup quarter-final against France, according to The Telegraph.

The 23-year-old midfielder has featured in all of the Three Lions’ matches in Qatar so far, but a bout of illness threw his involvement into question earlier this week as he missed out on a crucial England training session.

However, according to Matt Law, Gareth Southgate is set to announce an unchanged team for Saturday night’s (10 December) clash from the side that smashed Senegal.

The report said: “Declan Rice has recovered from illness and is fit to start, with England manager Southgate expected to stick with the side that beat Senegal in the last-16.

“That means that, rather than reverting to a back five, which he has done in previous tournament matches against top opposition, Southgate is in line to keep a back four.”

Deserved

Rice has been one of many brilliant performers for Southgate so far this World Cup and is deserving of a place in the starting XI.

Despite the potential that Southgate would tinker his formation to a back five – leaving the West Ham captain out of the heart of his midfield surely never crossed his mind.

The England international will have to play an extremely disciplined role on Saturday, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe likely to float into central areas to spark French attacks.

With Rice sitting at the base of the midfield, England sensation Jude Bellingham is also given the freedom to push forward and drag the likes of Adrien Rabiot out of the game.

The midfielder must also be willing to help John Stones and Harry Maguire play passes between the lines – something they struggled at during their last-16 match against Senegal – and spark attacks from the base of the midfield.

For England to progress to a third consecutive major tournament semi-final, Rice will surely need to be at his very best.