Declan Rice is expected to be a key player for England at the World Cup, but the Arsenal midfielder was already showing a tough attitude before the Three Lions campaign began
Declan Rice scores the opening goal against Costa Rica (Image: Getty Images)
Declan Rice got into trouble with his mother after tanning for a World Cup photo shoot. Rice admitted he found it difficult to adjust to the sun and weather after arriving in Florida for England’s pre-tournament training base.
England’s players were all posed for the official World Cup photo, but Rice admitted he was “red-faced” after soaking up the Florida sun.
When asked how he knew he had gone too far in this week’s heat, Rice laughed and said: “When the tan comes! I’m sure we’ve all seen that photo, but I was bright red in that photoshoot. My mom was going to kill me!”
“Honestly, the first day we came, we were just getting used to the heat. Coming from the UK, where we have different types of climate, hot and cold, and coming here, it’s always 30 degrees. The heat really hits you in the face.
“After that week off, the first session was a bit of a cobweb, but the next two days felt really good. Playing 60 tonight was all I was going to play. But I was in a really good space. I probably could have played longer, so I’m really happy.”
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Arsenal midfielder Rice was given a further week off after appearing in the Champions League final, but admitted he couldn’t wait to get back to training with England.
Rice starred and scored in England’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica and said England were in good form ahead of their first group game against Croatia a week ago.
“It was nice to have a week off and completely reset, but after four or five days of getting back with the players, my legs started to itch,” Rice said.
“It’s been really good. It’s been exactly what I expected from July until about two weeks ago after a long season at Arsenal. It’s good to come to Arsenal and have a change of environment and get back into this England shirt. So it’s been really good. It’s been good to get used to everything in the first few days and I’m looking forward to everything that’s going to happen.”
Rice looked a little worse for wear in the official portrait session (Image: Maddie Meyer/FIFA)
Rice was reprimanded by his mother (Image: Getty Images)
“I think it was more mentally tough than physically. Even though I’ve played so many games, the emotions you go through on a football pitch are ridiculous. To try to win the Premier League, of course we won, and then lose in the final.”
“You’re always going through ups and downs and trying to adapt, and then your full focus goes to the World Cup. It’s hard to think about the World Cup during the season because there are so many big games, but when you actually get here that’s when it starts to hit you.”
“So I think I’m glad I didn’t have to think too far ahead and obviously now I’m here fresh and ready to go.”
“I feel as good as gold. I feel really fit, I feel really strong. I had some troubles throughout the season, but I was able to deal with them very well with the physiotherapist and the coach, so I came here in a really good place. I’m really confident.”
“I think winning the Premier League for me gave me the confidence and the springboard to come here. Now that I’ve gotten through the line with Arsenal, it’s given me the confidence that I can come here and achieve big things. I’m in a really good place now.”
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