It’s nothing personal, it’s nature of the game
DECLAN RICE has the ability and temperament to add 50 England caps to the three he has already earned with the Republic of Ireland.
The nature of modern international football, laid down by FIFA rules, means a player can represent one team at senior level but still opt to switch allegiances provided it was not in a competitive fixture.
That is now the case with Rice, whose man-of-the-match displays against Turkey and the USA, as well as a tough night in Paris against France before they won the World Cup, are now just a footnote in a career which has the potential to reach the greatest heights.
He was never going to do so in a green jersey, but then international football is supposed to be an antidote to the cynical, calculated and cold nature of the elite club game. Instead it is inflicted by those same ills, and we really shouldn’t be surprised.
It is a potentially devastating decision for Ireland in the shortterm with Euro 2020 qualifiers on the horizon, and that in itself is a problem. The FAI need to act so that the fortunes of the international team are not dependent on the whims of others.
Rice turned 20 last month and every week is proving himself to be a young midfielder of poise, intelligence and promise in the Premier League. Long before that he was spotted by the FAI’s London scout Mark O’Toole, whose sole purpose is to make those same eligibility rules work in Ireland’s favour, and he began his international career with Ireland.
For a time, it looked as if a true gem had been unearthed amid a serious amount of dross.
Rice played at all levels from Under 16s up. Indeed, after making his senior bow away to Turkey, Rice appeared for the U21s just a few days later and kissed the Ireland crest as Noel King’s side won late on.
The FAI have invested significant resources – financially and otherwise – in making Rice feel as if he belonged but, ultimately, it wasn’t enough. So while the nature of Ireland’s vast diaspora means second and third generation talent cannot be ignored, the embarrassment at seeing Rice request a transfer means the FAI must do so much more to produce, and protect, talent on these shores.
Rice is no longer Ireland’s concern, and it will not be long until West Ham United are also lamenting his departure. They may have helped salvage his fledgling career when he was released by Chelsea at 14 years of age, but as this decision illustrates, the Londoner is simply the talented cog, a golden goose, in a money-making machine that has far more powerful influences in control.
Once the time comes for a move away from West Ham, Rice will leave to satisfy his own interests. That is the nature of club level and FIFA have allowed for the lines with international football to be intertwined.
Naturally, there is anger, frustration and huge disappointment felt by all those who want to see the Ireland team thrive. Setting aside the complexity of dual-eligibility and the sense of identity or place an individual feels, this should be viewed solely as a football decision.
At least West Ham fans know Rice will pen a truly emotional goodbye letter.
“It must be seen as a football decision”