Declan Rice has launched a passionate defence of his England team-mates at Euro 2024 and called for more positive coverage from the media back home.
- England underwhelming at Euro 2024
- Still top of Group C
- Rice demands positivity
WHAT HAPPENED?
Despite being far from at their best in their opening two games at the tournament, England are top of Group C with four points. That has not stopped multiple aspects of their game coming under scrutiny, though, including their fitness, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s suitability in a midfield role, Phil Foden’s best position and Harry Kane’s involvement, or lack thereof. Rice, though, believes there is reason for positivity ahead of the Three Lions’ final group stage game against Slovenia.
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WHAT RICE SAID
Asked about the negative media coverage in an ITV interview, Rice responded with an impassioned rant during which he became more and more animated.
“I don’t know why we feel like it’s such a negative thing,” he said. “We’re talking like we’re going out of the tournament here. We’re top of the group, we need to stay positive, stay upbeat. Let’s have some positivity going into games. Let’s give players the best confidence in the world. Players like Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, tell them they’re the best players in the world. Make them read that and think ‘I’m going to go out there and perform and give it absolutely everything’, rather than reading the negative comments sitting on their mind and then thinking that they can’t play a certain way. That’s the way I think about it. And I’m sure we have enough of them people as well which is good.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Rice also questioned the criticism of Alexander-Arnold in particular, after clamour from many England and Liverpool fans to see him in midfield in the past. He is expected to be dropped for the Slovenia clash.
“Half the country are calling for Trent to play in midfield,” he continued. “You play him in midfield and you want to bring him down. I don’t get it. I don’t get it at all.
“I’ll defend all of my boys until I never put on an England shirt. Trent is one of the best players I’ve ever seen. Don’t call for someone to play in a position and then backtrack all because you think he’s had a bad game or something. I’ll tell you now, Trent can play in midfield. I’ve seen it at England, I’ve seen it for Liverpool. He’s unbelievable. That’s what I say to the people that you see say this type of stuff.”
WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
Rice is right in that England have all-but qualified for the last 16 at Euro 2024, but fans and pundits alike will expect a much-improved performance against Slovenia on Tuesday night from Gareth Southgate’s men. Victory will secure top spot and ensure the Three Lions face a relatively easier opponent in the first knockout round.
