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![\"2026](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/1200x712\/secondary\/foxborough-declan-rice-of-england-during-the-fifa-2026-world-cup-group-l-match-between-7000751.jpg?r=1782296944535\" "\\"2026")
<\/p>\n
Declan Rice will be a subject of discussion before England’s next game. (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n
Declan Rice is one of England’s most important players. No one is questioning it. But after two World Cup performances fell short of his usual high standards, Thomas Tuchel has a big decision to make. The goalless draw between England and Ghana exposed growing problems at the heart of the Three Lions’ midfield. Rice is often a driving force for Arsenal, but has struggled to replicate the form of a player who dominates Premier League matches week in and week out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The 26-year-old started against Croatia and Ghana, but failed to impress against either side. He was sent off in the 72nd minute against Croatia. England found themselves in a disappointing stalemate against Ghana, struggling to make an impact on the game. Well, Panama is waiting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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England are almost certain to advance to the knockout stages, but they still have a place at the top of their group. Tuchel is expected to shuffle his squad, with Rice expected to be one of the players given some breathing room.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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There are several obvious reasons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Rice is walking a disciplinary tightrope after receiving yellow cards in both group games. Another caution against Panama would mean he would be suspended for the last-32 match against England, but it is a completely unnecessary risk given the circumstances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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It just makes no sense to gamble with one of England’s key men.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Notably, Rice has already admitted he has been dealing with a hamstring issue dating back to Christmas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Express sports on FB! Get all the best sports news and more on our Facebook page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The Arsenal midfielder revealed earlier this week that he had been playing with nerve pain behind the scenes for months. After the match against Ghana, he was seen with a serious injury to his left calf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The warning signs are there.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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England need Rice to be fit and active for the second half of the tournament, rather than running at Air Force in games that may ultimately mean little.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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But the bigger concern is tactical.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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England’s midfield balance is not working.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
![\"England](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/1200x712\/secondary\/foxborough-massachusetts-declan-rice-of-england-dribbles-during-a-game-between-england-and-7000760.jpg?r=1782296944559\" "\\"England")
<\/p>\n
Declan Rice was given greater responsibility in possession. (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n
Jude Bellingham makes a dangerous run into the penalty area. Elliott Anderson keeps the ball moving. But Rice found herself carrying an unfamiliar creative burden.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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That’s not his natural play.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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At Arsenal, Rice benefits from playing alongside creative operators who can unlock defenses and share responsibility in possession. Under Tuchel, he is being asked to do even more of the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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result? England’s midfield looked disjointed and predictable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Tuchel may be forced to experiment in the future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Kobi Mainu offers qualities that rice does not have. The Manchester United star is more progressive on the ball and more capable of creating gaps from deep.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The midfield trio of Mainu, Anderson and Bellingham could provide a valuable answer against Panama.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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And if England suddenly show sharpness without Rice, Tuchel could face his biggest selection dilemma of the World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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That would be unpleasant for Rice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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However, the German coach was called in to make a difficult decision.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Sign up now for the Make Football Great Again newsletter and get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Declan Rice will be a subject of discussion before England’s next game. (Image: Getty) Declan Rice is one of England’s most important players. No one is questioning it. But after two World Cup performances fell short of his usual high standards, Thomas Tuchel has a big decision to make. The goalless draw between England and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-37052","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-matches"},"yoast_head":"\n
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