Declan Rice targets Spain to build on England improvement

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 08:08 · Archive

Declan Rice has admitted he had an 'average' World Cup and is targeting victory against Spain in Sunday's Nations League match.

Declan Rice has admitted to an 'average' World Cup performance, acknowledging that a demanding 69-game season with Arsenal and England left him exhausted and unable to perform at his best in the tournament. The Arsenal midfielder played throughout a season that included winning the Premier League title with Arsenal but also culminated in the World Cup, where he managed nerve pain in a hamstring affecting his lower back.

Rice said his best games were against France and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but felt he underperformed overall. He was substituted by manager Thomas Tuchel in the 89th minute of the Congo game after telling him he was in 'terrible pain'. Despite these issues, he played well enough in the third-place playoff against France to score.

The 27-year-old took a break during the international window in September and October specifically to recover from the gruelling season. He believes this rest has worked, pointing to recent strong performances for Arsenal against Bayern Munich and Liverpool as evidence he is returning to form.

Rice is now focused on Sunday's Nations League match against Spain at the Metropolitano Stadium. England can leapfrog the world champions and finish top of their Nations League group if they win in Madrid, which would theoretically provide an easier draw for the quarter-finals in March.

The Independent reports that Rice has responded to recent criticism from former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness, who accused him of playing 'old man's football'. Rice argued that modern football demands different positioning and movement, citing his statistics since joining Arsenal: 15 goals and 25 assists in 129 Premier League appearances. He pointed to Harry Kane's positioning in a recent 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Bayern Munich as an example of how contemporary football requires players to move into different areas to create tactical advantages.

How it is being reported

• Arsenal star Declan Rice makes honest confession over England strugglesDeclan Rice is out to make up for his 'average' showings at the World Cup by guiding England to victory in Madrid for Sunday's Nations League decider against SpainMirror Sport · 15 Nov, 08:00
• Declan Rice on ‘average’ World Cup, managing minutes and Graeme Souness criticism: ‘Football’s way different now’The England and Arsenal midfielder, who has been accused of playing ‘old man football’, is only just returning to full fitness after a demanding season for club and country. By Miguel Delaney in MadridIndependent Sport · 14 Nov, 20:36
• Declan Rice accepts he had an ‘average World Cup’ as England gear up for Spain showdownMidfielder needed a break ‘to come back stronger’ James Trafford selected to start in goal for England Declan Rice has admitted he had an “average” World Cup at the end of a gruelling season and needed time out during the international window in September and October in order to return stronger. The Arsenal midfielder believes the break has served its purpose, having produced starring performances against Bayern Munich and Liverpool in recent weeks . He is now ready to hit his best level for England in Sunday’s Nations League showdown against Spain at the Metropolitano Stadium. Continue…Guardian Football · 14 Nov, 20:30

In this story: Declan Rice · England · Arsenal · Spain · Metropolitano Stadium · Thomas Tuchel · Graeme Souness

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log