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 remains to be coping with the consequences of illness bug that ended his involvement within the warmth in Miami as England required additional time to beat Norway 2-1. Because of this, England will make a late resolution on whether or not he’ll begin towards Argentina.
There’s stated to be optimism that Rice will probably 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 go away Thomas Tuchel with a possible headache in midfield.
Rice restoration essential amid England’s lack of options
Rice’s partnership with Elliot Anderson in midfield is cemented, and the choices outdoors of that pair aren’t 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.
Nonetheless, James had missed the earlier three matches because of a hamstring harm and has appeared off the tempo within the video games he has performed through the event.
And with Jordan Henderson sidelined with the freak wrist harm he suffered within the celebrations of England’s last-16 win over Mexico at Estadio Azteca, the one different participant Tuchel has accessible to him is Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo loved a positive 2025-26 season at Outdated Trafford with Michael Carrick revitalising his profession, however he has not performed a minute on the World Cup.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 dealing with England towards Lionel Messi and Co, it’s extremely unlikely Tuchel could be keen handy a begin to Mainoo.
Contemplating his familiarity with membership team-mate Enzo Fernandez, James would look like the selection if Rice is just not match sufficient to begin in Atlanta. Nonetheless, given James’ performances and the bodily situation of Ezri Konsa, who’s nursing a hamstring situation of his personal having began at right-back towards Norway, that may be a choice that carries danger.
Rice has fought by way of a hamstring harm to assist get England thus far. Whereas there are viable options, it seems essential for England’s hopes of a primary World Cup last 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.
