Thomas Tuchel has just decided where Arsenal star Declan Rice will start vs Mexico – midfield or right-back

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Arsenal star Declan Rice’s position on the pitch has suddenly become a big topic of conversation.

The England international is one of the best midfielders on the planet, and every manager would ideally want him in the middle of the park.

However, late in the game against Congo, Thomas Tuchel used Rice as a right-back, and the Arsenal man did a good job there.

That led to speculation that he could start at right-back against Mexico, but that is not going to happen.

Arsenal fans…What should Thomas Tuchel do with Declan Rice in the next two games?

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Why Thomas Tuchel will not start Declan Rice at right-back for England vs Mexico

Declan Rice is not expected to start at right-back for England against Mexico.

Tuchel liked what he saw from the Arsenal midfielder when he was deployed out wide in defence, but that hasn’t changed his mind.

According to the Daily Mail, Rice is expected to start in midfield again, which is his natural position.

That is because ‘Tuchel sees the 27-year-old’s value as a midfielder as too integral to consider using him to solve problems elsewhere on the pitch.’

In our opinion, that is the right thing to do. Rice can do a job anywhere on the pitch, but he is at his best when he is driving through the middle of the park and running the show.

However, we won’t be surprised at all if Tuchel turns to the Premier League winner again to fill in at right-back again at some point in the game.

Declan Rice’s fitness needs to be managed

Rice has been playing through pain for several months.

The Englishman put his body on the line to help the Gunners win the Premier League title, and he is still far from full fitness.

Even against Congo, Rice was in ‘terrible pain’ at the end of the game, which is not ideal at all.

That is why Tuchel needs to manage his fitness very carefully. If England are 2-0 up after 60 minutes, the Arsenal star needs to come off immediately and get a break.

However, with the way England are playing right now, we expect the clash against Mexico to be a tight affair, which means Rice will have to play nearly the whole game, if not all of it.