Arsenal’s midfield linchpin, Declan Rice, is on a mission to remedy the pain of narrowly missing out on the Premier League title by leading England to Euro success. Despite Arsenal’s near-miss in the league, Rice, the 25-year-old veteran of England’s midfield, is embracing the opportunity to end the Three Lions’ 58-year wait for a major tournament win.
Just over a year ago, Rice celebrated West Ham’s first trophy in 43 years. Now, he finds himself as England’s indispensable midfield maestro, with manager Gareth Southgate pondering, “Declan and who?” in midfield.
Reflecting on the swift turn of events in his career, Rice acknowledged, “Life comes at you fast,” but he’s determined to focus on the Euros. He shared, “Straight after the end of the season, I said to my mum and dad that the only thing that would get me over not winning the Premier League is winning the Euros.”
Rice, who has gained valuable experience from his first title race this season, emphasized the significance of winning for his country, considering it one of football’s pinnacles. With a squad that includes several Manchester City players, Rice believes England can harness their experience in high-pressure games for the tournament.
Acknowledging his role as a senior figure in the squad, Rice expressed, “I feel like now I’ve gained so much experience over the last two years that I can kind of guide the younger players in a way.”
While Rice aims for his 100th cap, he remains aware of the competition, stating, “I know I’m going to be tested along the way, I know there are going to be youngsters pushing for my spot.”
Despite his commitment to the game, Rice keeps a grounded perspective, even when it comes to commemorating his achievements. He humorously remarked on his legacy number tattoo, a tradition started by Southgate: “Good job I don’t have a sleeve or anything – my mum would go mad! That’s why it’s only a small one.”