Declan Rice is England’s midfield leader

Getting the Most Out of a Star

Both Mikel Arteta and Tuchel have recognized that Declan Rice is at his best when the setup allows him the freedom to read the game, roam around and turn up where he is needed to win the ball. His influence starts and is most felt in the attacking and middle third, where he is exceptionally good at stopping attacks before they start. When attackers lose the ball, they often get it right back because Declan Rice beat someone to a loose ball, won a 50-50 or cut out a pass. When things break down, Declan Rice makes the lung-busting recovery run to clean up the mess. He’s an eraser—when his teammates make mistakes, he fixes them. Since joining Arsenal, Rice has improved his attacking output year-over-year, going from a handful of goal involvements per season at West Ham to consistently in the 15-20 G+A range in all competitions in north London. Those totals are helped by his set piece prowess. Arsenal wouldn’t be the best from corners in the Premier League without his right-footed, in-swingers, a duty you’d expect him to pick up for England at the World Cup. He’s also a threat to score from the dead ball—remember his stunning free kick double against Real Madrid last season? If you had to find a weakness, it’d be passing. He’s an average distributor. He’s unlikely to give the ball away but he’s also not going to thread a killer progressive pass through two or three defenders to platform a teammate. He’s much more likely to open things up by carrying the ball into space, eating up ground with his long, powerful strides.

England at the World Cup

England aren’t the odds-on favorite to win the World Cup, but they are among the contenders. Since their win in 1966, they’ve failed to live up to often unrealistic expectations. This time around, however, they’re deserved. The Three Lions have finished runners up in the last two Euros. Shielded by Rice, England are among the best defenses in the world and have the most in-form striker in Harry Kane. Many will expect them to make the final and anything short of a semifinal would be a disappointment.

• England vs Croatia — June 17 — 4 p.m. ET from Arlington, TX (AT&T Stadium)
• England vs Ghana — June 23 — 4 p.m. ET from Foxborough, MA (Gillette Stadium)
• England vs Poland — June 27 — 5 p.m. ET from East Rutherford, NJ (MetLife Stadium) *Verizon fuels soccer culture and community impact year-round – uniting fans, supporting local businesses and creating unforgettable moments that celebrate the global game.*