Declan Rice reveals striking tactical similarity between Mikel Arteta and Thomas Tuchel, ‘it’s very similar…’

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England return to action on Monday night, welcoming Latvia to Wembley in their second qualifying game for the 2026 World Cup.

Both Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly started for the Three Lions in Friday’s 2-0 win against Albania, with Lewis-Skelly opening the scoring just 20 minutes into his debut.

Rice was full of praise for Lewis-Skelly after the game, emphasising that he was “saying it before Christmas” that the 18-year-old could be England’s first-choice left-back.

And speaking to the media before the game against Latvia, Rice has now highlighted a key similarity between Mikel Arteta and new England manager Thomas Tuchel’s tactical approaches.

Mikel Arteta and Thomas Tuchel share midfield approach

With the current international break the first opportunity Tuchel and his England players have had to work with each other, there has inevitably been a period of learning and adjusting to the new philosophy.

Indeed, Rice was keen to emphasise that this learning was a long-term process, saying: “Over time, we’re going to be able to get his style much more.”

However, the 26-year-old also revealed that both Arteta and Tuchel share similarities in their respective tactical approaches, adding: “The way [Tuchel] wants his midfielders to play is very similar to how I have it at club [level] so it’s not been too much different in terms of playing through the number six and playing to the number eights.”

Rice went on to add that the former Chelsea manager is “really energetic and he cares so much about his players.”

This is another similarity with Arteta, one that the England international also revealed in an August 2023 interview with TNT Sports.

Speaking with Rio Ferdinand, Rice said: “Seeing how [Arteta] works, how his mind operates, picking up stuff, seeing how he goes into detail on the opposition, and how he wants us to improve us as players, individually and collectively, is really impressive.”

Declan Rice reflects on the anniversary of his England debut

Saturday also marked the six-year anniversary of Rice making his debut for the Three Lions.

After playing in three friendlies for the Republic of Ireland, the former West Ham midfielder switched allegiance to England in March 2019 by virtue of his being born in London.

Having made his debut against the Czech Republic a few weeks later, the 26-year-old has since racked up 63 appearances, playing in three major tournaments in the process.

When reflecting on the anniversary, Rice said: “I’ve grown so much as a player and as a person in that time. Six years ago, I remember ex-pros that have retired now when I was at West Ham telling me, ‘Dec, enjoy your career because it goes so quick’.”

He has remained an ever-present for the national team ever since his £105m move from West Ham to London in 2023, Rice missing just one international camp with injury in that time.