Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been tipped to be the future captain of the England national team as the 26-year-old continue his good form for club and country.
Rice was instrumental on Saturday as Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with victory at Everton.
Former England striker Wayne Rooney was at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to see Mikel Arteta’s side secure a scrappy 1-0 win on Saturday evening and could not hide his admiration for Rice.
Rooney, who captained England for three years from 2014 to 2017, said about Rice in the latest episode of BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, “For me, he’s the one who’s probably waiting for Harry to hang up his boots at some point.”
Declan Rice runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Carlos Alcaraz of Everton. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“He was all over the pitch [against Everton]. His decision-making – when to pass it, where to pass it, what foot to pass it to, his detail on his pass – it was a pleasure to watch. He was absolutely incredible.
“He was splitting centre-backs, taking the ball off [Arsenal’s] centre-backs, acting as a third centre-back, then next minute he’s in the box, trying to score a goal. Sometimes, some of the stuff he does is a bit underrated.
“He’s the right one to take over [Kane] for me, because [of] his drive, his personality. Everyone seems to love him, who knows him, who’s close to him. He’s irreplaceable for England.”
Rice, who has won 72 caps at senior international level, has worn the armband twice before in the absence of current skipper Harry Kane – in a 2-2 draw with Belgium in March 2024 and a 3-0 win over Wales in October this year.
