After failing to beat Ghana in their last match, England face Panama in a must win World Cup clash, with Declan Rice now at risk of missing the game due to injury.
The Arsenal midfielder has been managing a niggling problem and has played through the pain barrier for the Three Lions so far, unlike Bukayo Saka, whose minutes have been carefully managed with two substitute appearances. However, the match against Ghana appeared to take its toll on Rice and Chelsea defender Reece James, with both players picking up injuries that could force them to miss England’s next fixture.
According to The Telegraph, both players missed the team’s latest training session, raising serious doubts over their availability for the match against Panama.
Rice injury concern for England
Rice remains one of Thomas Tuchel’s most trusted midfield options and would be expected to start if fully fit. However, the injury concern now leaves the manager with a difficult decision ahead of a crucial fixture.
His importance to the team is significant given his consistency and influence in midfield, and England will be closely monitoring his condition before final team selection is made.
Midfield options without Rice
Should Rice be unavailable, England may need to turn to alternative midfield options, with Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo among those considered to step in.
However, replacing his leadership and experience would be a significant challenge, particularly in a match where England are under pressure to secure a positive result against Panama.
England’s coaching staff will now assess the situation carefully as they prepare for a decisive fixture in the group stage, with squad depth likely to play a key role if changes are required.
Weeks of tournament football often place additional physical demands on players, and England will be keen to ensure that any risk to key individuals is managed appropriately before kick-off.
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This is not a crucial game, as England is now confirmed for the 32, so it might be beneficial for Rice to sit this one out.
With all due respect to England’s next opponent, if England can’t beat them then they really don’t deserve to be at the World Cup.
Oh! and just to add, Rice is on a yellow card and is at risk of missing the next game if he gets another one. It would be pure stupidity to play him in this game.
I didn’t label it as stupidity but I thought it was a bad idea to play him against Ghana (see prior JA comments) given the situation at the time. Now I don’t believe we have much of a choice but to sit him even perhaps if he had not picked up the YC.
Cut and paste from prior comment: I believe it’s the perfect opportunity to rest him and see what the team can do against a decent opponent without him, as they may be forced to deal with later in the tournament. If the worst happens and Ghana takes a point or even more, England will still be in a good position as they take on Panama and Ghana deals with Croatia. I doubt that Declan is going to rest himself until he can’t move.
No Bruised Banana,
It was me who labelled it stupidity. 😂
🤣