Declan Rice ended up playing at right-back during England’s win over Congo.
The Arsenal star started his career at West Ham United as a centre-half before being moved into defensive midfield.
He was then moved into a box-to-box role by Mikel Arteta, where he elevated his game to a whole new level in the famous red and white.
Now, after a few trials at Arsenal, Thomas Tuchel used Rice as an emergency right-back, but the Englishman is not too keen on doing it again.
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Declan Rice suggests he doesn’t want to play as a right-back again
Declan Rice is one of the most complete players in football.
The Englishman can play anywhere in midfield, as a centre-half, and as he has shown now, at right-back as well when the team needs him.
Even though he is ready to play wherever Tuchel needs him to, Rice has suggested that he doesn’t really want to be filled in as a full-back again.
Speaking after the win over Congo, Rice said, as per ESPN: “It was probably the hardest 12 minutes of the game having a stint at right-back.
“In games like that, it was probably too much of a basketball match at times, back and forth, and we had to take the sting out of it because they have fast wingers.
“I think we made more hard work of it than we needed to.
“I have played there two or three times this season, I know the role, it is probably not my biggest strength, but to do anything for the team and the manager.
“[With] 12 minutes left, I said I would do my best, and I think I did well there. Let’s see what happens next game, but hopefully I don’t have to be at right back.”
Arsenal fans…What should Thomas Tuchel do with Declan Rice in the next two games?
Thomas Tuchel explains why he used Declan Rice at right-back
Rice is not the first name that comes to mind when you think of right-backs.
However, Tuchel decided to turn to the Premier League-winning midfielder, and it was not because there was nobody else. There was a tactical reason behind it.
“To have his quality from the side to maybe get more difficult crosses in there, and it makes it more difficult to defend and maybe more crosses in there,” Tuchel said, as per The Express.
“The out-swingers, and have a bit more support for Bukayo Saka, we had a bit more connection and help on the right-hand side that opened it up. So, full credit to my assistant coach.
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