Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice captained England for the first time yesterday in the 2-2 draw against Belgium, marking his 50th cap for the Three Lions in style.
With Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane out injured, England manager Gareth Southgate decided to hand the 25-year-old the chance to lead the national team out, and Rice was pleased with the opportunity.
The Arsenal star took to Instagram afterwards to react to the honour, and his international teammate and Manchester City midfielder (currently on loan at West Ham United) Kalvin Phillips was one of those who took to the comment section to shower praise on Rice.
The Gunners midfielder put in a top performance alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham in the middle of the park for England, replicating the excellent displays he has constantly provided in the Arsenal jersey at international level.
Rice became the first Arsenal player to captain England since Sol Campbell in 2005 and the first Gunner since Tony Adams in 2000 to start a match as England captain at Wembley, and he showed exactly why Southgate trusted him with the armband with his leadership qualities.
He made his usual line-breaking passes and progressed confidently on the ball, and while Kane will be back to lead the Three Lions at the European Championships in Germany in June, the country has another reliable leader in Rice.
Having often played as a number 8 for Arsenal, the former West Ham captained reverted to playing as a number 6 for England against Belgium, and his combination with Mainoo and Bellingham worked wonders.
Southgate will be smart to stick with the midfield trio at the Euros as such a tactical decision could finally end England’s trophy drought.
