Declan Rice can use World Cup to stake claim as England captain

After Arsenal lost to Manchester City in April, Declan Rice went viral when he slumped to his heels, sprang to his feet and shouted, "It's not done!" A few weeks later it was done: City dropped points while the Gunners won their final five games and Rice was instrumental in that run, helping deliver a Premier League crown for Mikel Arteta's side.

Rice’s leadership has become a defining feature of his game. Thomas Tuchel named him England vice-captain for the tournament, and at club level team-mates handed him the armband when Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka were absent, with Arteta saying the players made that choice because Rice had taken ownership in difficult moments.

On the pitch he combines energy, tactical adaptability and durability — he started 35 Premier League games and logged almost 3,100 minutes in the title season — and has drawn praise as one of the best in his position.

England

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