‘Pinch-me’ moment as Rice captains Three Lions
DECLAN Rice will enjoy a “pinch me” moment when he captains England on his 50th appearance for his country in tonight’s friendly against Belgium.
The 25-year-old is set to start in midfield at Wembley to reach the milestone for his country.
“I think I have grown so much as a player and a person since I first came into the group at 19,” he said.
“I was probably a bit nervous when I first came into the England squad, but as time has gone on I’ve played more big games. I have enjoyed every moment.
“Fifty caps, it is a pinch me moment, it will be an honour. On my 50th cap, to walk out at Wembley in front of my family and friends, it is a great honour, I’m speechless.”
England boss Gareth Southgate has had to contend with a number of injuries, both before he announced his squad and during the camp.
“It is an incredible number who are unavailable to us,” he said.
“I haven’t experienced that before, but it means there are opportunities for other people. It is increasingly difficult at international level.”
Southgate confirmed Jude Bellingham could play the whole game, having recovered from the cramp which forced him off against Brazil on Saturday.
Meanwhile Rice is hoping to convince Arsenal team-mate Ben White to make an international U-turn and mark himself available to play for England.
The 26-year-old White has starred for the Premier League leaders this season but has not featured in the national team squad since the 2022 World Cup.
White returned early from Qatar for what the Football Association called “personal reasons” and reports later emerged of an alleged bust-up with England assistant Steve Holland.
England manager Gareth Southgate denied any such fallout when he announced his squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, with Rice now named as captain for the latter on Tuesday night. “When I go back and I’ll speak to him and see,” Rice told talkSPORT.
“But hopefully he does change his mind on that because having a player like that - in the squad who’s performing well in the Premier League - it’d be a great addition to the (England) squad.”
White, whose new contract at Arsenal was announced the same day as his continued omission from Southgate’s squad, has been in fine form for his club this season.
Rice believes the versatility of the former Brighton man could also be a positive for Southgate heading into a tournament where squad size is at a premium.
“The only thing I can say is, it’s Ben’s life. It’s Ben’s decision,” added Rice.
“We can’t argue with him with what he wants to do.
“Of course, there’s always going to be people writing stuff, having their opinions on what they think.
“But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what he thinks and at this moment in time, he obviously doesn’t want to play for England.
“I really hope he does (change his mind), because I see him every day, he is such a good character.
“For people that don’t know, such a good character, very composed, very level-headed.
“When he’s on a football pitch, he will do anything to win but also I think for England as well, he can play as a centre-back and at rightback, as in inverted full-back. Now he’s a really key tool that we could have.
“So I hope he changes his mind. Obviously, at this moment in time, he doesn’t feel like he wants that. So that I think is his decision.”