Former England star, Scott Parker has rejected the notion that Thomas Tuchel should exclude Declan Rice from his starting XI, emphasizing that the Arsenal midfielder is crucial to England’s aspirations in the World Cup.
Rice, who played a significant role in Arsenal’s Premier League victory and their advancement to the Champions League final last season, was omitted from England’s final group match against Panama.
This decision was influenced by his fitness, as the 27-year-old has been dealing with a back problem for several months, and he was also at risk of suspension after receiving a yellow card during the draw with Ghana.
There have been suggestions that England may not require both Rice and Elliot Anderson in the lineup for Wednesday’s last-32 match against DG Congo, considering the Three Lions are expected to control possession and maintain an attacking stance throughout the game.
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Manchester United icon Paul Scholes expressed that he would prefer to keep Rice on the bench and support the new Manchester City acquisition, Elliot Anderson, as the sole defensive midfielder.
“Four words come to mind when I think about England’s chances of winning the World Cup: we need Declan Rice,” Parker stated in an interview with The Telegraph.
‘There has been some discussion since England’s victory over Panama regarding whether Declan should have additional recovery time, possibly missing the last-32 match against DR Congo.
“The concern for his wellbeing, given he is managing a hamstring issue, is understandable. But Declan is pivotal.
“If England are going to go deep in this tournament, he is one of Thomas Tuchel’s foundation pillars – a manager’s dream. Whatever you ask him to do, he will do it.
“He is a ‘builder’ when he plays as a No 6, in that he gets attacks moving. He can play the No 8 role as well as anyone and has arrived at this tournament on the back of a season in which he was one of the Premier League’s Players of the Year.
“He is a physical specimen with great strength and his ability to run with the ball is underappreciated. I don’t know Declan personally, but I have managed against him enough times to know what he brings.
“As I’m writing, I’m thinking back to the goal he scored for Arsenal against Burnley last season when it felt like he was unstoppable. He just powered straight through.
“The other asset you lose by not having him in the team is world-class delivery. How often do you see him fail to beat the first man from a set-piece? Never.
“It’s not by luck that he keeps putting the ball into the right places and it has already worked to England’s advantage in America.”
Parker, who left Burnley following their relegation from the Premier League last season, added, “The key to England’s midfield is Rice.
“I love his story because he was not a standout as a boy and he had the courage to overcome being released by Chelsea to become one of the top men in his position in the game.
“Players like him are hard to come by. That is why England need Declan Rice.”
Tuchel is bidding to lead England to their first World Cup trophy since 1966 after replacing Sir Gareth Southgate.
If they get past DR Congo, the Three Lions will face Ecuador or World Cup co-hosts Mexico for a place in the quarter-finals.