Aaron Cresswell, a former West Ham left-back, offers an impressive portrayal of Declan Rice, labeling him a ‘freak of nature’ due to his extraordinary stamina. Cresswell notes, “He can play six or seven games a week,” reflecting on the extensive number of matches Rice has participated in over recent years: a staggering 360 since the beginning of the 2020-21 season.
This relentless schedule has seen Rice play pivotal roles for West Ham during their significant European campaigns in 2022 and 2023, as well as serving as a critical player for Gareth Southgate’s England and Arsenal in both the Premier League and Champions League since his transfer three years ago.
However, the strain of continuous play became evident during England’s tumultuous 4-2 victory over Croatia in their World Cup opener, where Rice made his 63rd appearance of the 2025-26 season. The 27-year-old seemed fatigued, as the midfield configuration faltered, leaving excessive gaps between him and teammate Elliot Anderson in a troubling first half. Rice’s tendency to drop too deep made him vulnerable to being drawn out of position by Luka Modric.
There is hope that Thomas Tuchel can address these tactical issues before England’s next match against Ghana on Tuesday. Nevertheless, concerns arose when Rice was substituted in the 72nd minute while England held a precarious 3-2 lead over Croatia. It’s rare for Rice, known for his ball-winning prowess, to exit a match under such circumstances, raising alarm that their vice-captain may be running low on energy when he is most needed.
Tuchel reported that Rice experienced discomfort in his lower back and upper hamstring. He described the substitution as a precautionary measure, with Rice asserting he would be fit to play against Ghana. England must, however, proceed with caution.
What could happen if Rice’s condition deteriorates? The midfield struggled significantly with Rice not at peak performance, as Tuchel diplomatically remarked, “God knows how many he’s played in the last few years.” England is reliant on Rice’s presence, having rarely performed well without him over the past six years, and they lack a suitable replacement within the squad.
Kobbie Mainoo possesses remarkable skills on the ball but lacks Rice’s physicality and expertise in set-pieces. Jordan Henderson could be considered, but at 36 years of age and not utilized in the high-tempo approach against Croatia, he presents another challenge. Tuchel faces a complex situation.
Initially, Tuchel opted to shift Jude Bellingham backward to cover for Rice, a decision that nearly allowed Croatia to equalize. This experiment lasted only eight minutes before England adapted, bringing in Djed Spence for Bellingham, which enabled Reece James to transition from right-back to a midfield role he has excelled in over the past 18 months at Chelsea.
If Rice’s playing time needs to be carefully monitored, James may serve as a viable midfield option. Previously, during a loan at Wigan in the 2018-19 season, he thrived in a central role. Although primarily a right-back or right-wingback, he underwent a positional transformation under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, ultimately proving successful during their Club World Cup victory against Paris Saint-Germain last year.
Initially skeptical of this repositioning, Tuchel has come to appreciate Maresca’s vision. James is recognized as a physical and intelligent player, adept at tackling and possessing a strong passing ability. His performance against PSG was not an anomaly; he also excelled alongside Moisés Caicedo in midfield during Chelsea’s 3-0 triumph over Barcelona last November, where he effectively contained Rice during Arsenal’s visit to Stamford Bridge shortly thereafter.
“Declan had some unusual ball losses,” Tuchel stated when assembling his World Cup squad, explaining his decision to exclude Adam Wharton and Alex Scott.
Tuchel values versatility in his selections. Should James move from the backline, Spence, Ezri Konsa, and Jarell Quansah are all capable of stepping in at right-back. Another potential strategy could involve Konsa operating as a third center-back alongside John Stones and Marc Guéhi, thereby allowing Nico O’Reilly to advance from left-back.
However, this plan hinges on James’s fitness. He has a history of hamstring injuries, the latest of which sidelined him for nearly two months earlier this year. Thus, managing his workload has been a priority for Chelsea.
This situation presents a dilemma for England, especially following Tino Livramento’s calf injury, which has necessitated Tuchel’s decision to replace the Newcastle full-back with Trevoh Chalobah. Many squad members are feeling the effects of a taxing season. While James is the primary choice at right-back, he cannot bear the entire burden in midfield if Rice is struggling.
As the World Cup nears, Tuchel’s concerns regarding fitness persist. The choice to travel to Florida early for a pre-tournament camp was aimed at enhancing conditioning. Rice’s late arrival, having played for Arsenal in the Champions League final, underscores his relentless drive. However, will this come at a cost?
If England progresses to the final and Rice remains overburdened, he could end up with 70 appearances for club and country this season. The demands are indeed extreme, leaving Tuchel to consider alternative strategies.
