Declan Rice Expected to Play Against Ghana After Croatia Win
Thomas Tuchel expects Declan Rice to be ready for England’s next World Cup test against Ghana, despite the midfielder being forced off in the second half of the 4-2 win over Croatia.
Rice was at the heart of England’s opening Group-stage victory, driving the side through midfield before an uncomfortable twinge cut his night short. Tuchel moved quickly once he spotted something was wrong.
“Declan had some unusual ball losses and I saw a bit of discomfort,” the England manager explained. When he checked with his midfielder, the problem was clear enough: “He pointed directly to his lower back, upper hamstring, that he feels the discomfort.”
The decision came swiftly. No gamble, no bravado, not in the first game of a long tournament. Tuchel pulled his midfield anchor, even though it went against every instinct to leave him on.
“I didn’t want to take any risk, so I decided to take Declan off, which I never wanted to do, but it was the moment to protect him,” Tuchel said. Reece James, usually a right-back, stepped into central midfield and impressed in the role, helping England see out a high-scoring opener.
Rice had already done enough. He controlled the tempo, broke up Croatian attacks and set the platform for England’s four-goal haul. Tuchel called it a “fantastic game” from his midfielder and, crucially for England’s plans, sounded relaxed about the issue.
“I think Reece James did so well to replace him in the central midfield,” Tuchel added. “[Rice] had a fantastic game, so I hope it’s nothing more, and he just reassured me at the end that it’s good and he knows the discomfort. We will take care of it, and this is nothing big to worry about.”
The player himself struck an even more upbeat tone. Rice, who has carried a few minor neural niggles through the second half of the season at Arsenal, insisted there was no fresh damage.
“All good, good as gold,” he said. “Just what I’ve been nursing, probably, in the second half of the season at Arsenal, little neural pains here and there.
“But yeah, I’m all good, I’m all fine, just precaution and I’ll be back out there again against Ghana.”
England have their statement start. Now they wait to see if their midfield general can stride back out and dictate the next chapter against Ghana.
