Lingering Rice doubt leaves England with potential midfield drawback

Declan Rice was substituted at half-time of England‘s World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, and the midfielder has reportedly nonetheless not recovered from the sickness that compelled his early withdrawal because the Three Lions put together to face Argentina within the final 4.

BBC Sport reported on Monday that Arsenal star Rice continues to be coping with the results of illness bug that ended his involvement within the warmth in Miami as England required further time to beat Norway 2-1. In consequence, England will make a late determination on whether or not he’ll begin towards Argentina.

There’s stated to be optimism that Rice shall be able to face the defending world champions as England get set to tackle Argentina for the primary time since a 2005 pleasant.

However the lingering doubts surrounding Rice do depart Thomas Tuchel with a possible headache in midfield.

Rice restoration vital amid England’s lack of alternate options

Rice’s partnership with Elliot Anderson in midfield is cemented, and the choices outdoors of that pair are usually not plentiful.

Proper-back Reece James got here on for Rice towards Norway, with Tuchel profiting from the Chelsea captain’s versatility in with the ability to function within the engine room.

Nevertheless, James had missed the earlier three matches as a consequence of a hamstring damage and has seemed off the tempo within the video games he has performed through the match.

And with Jordan Henderson sidelined with the freak wrist damage he suffered within the celebrations of England’s last-16 win over Mexico at Estadio Azteca, the one different participant Tuchel has out there to him is Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo loved a high-quality 2025-26 season at Previous Trafford with Michael Carrick revitalising his profession, however he has not performed a minute on the World Cup.

Given the magnitude of the event and the size of the problem going through England towards Lionel Messi and Co, it’s extremely unlikely Tuchel can be keen handy a begin to Mainoo.

Contemplating his familiarity with membership team-mate Enzo Fernandez, James would look like the selection if Rice just isn’t match sufficient to start out in Atlanta. Nonetheless, given James’ performances and the bodily situation of Ezri Konsa, who’s nursing a hamstring difficulty of his personal having began at right-back towards Norway, that may be a choice that carries threat.

Rice has fought by way of a hamstring damage to assist get England so far. Whereas there are viable alternate options, it seems essential for England’s hopes of a primary World Cup remaining since 1966 that he shakes off the sickness to take his place subsequent to Anderson within the midfield for the resumption of a fierce rivalry.