Declan Rice thinks what Arsenal have done could genuinely help England win the World Cup

Add as preferred source on Google

Declan Rice has arrived at England’s World Cup camp full of confidence.

The Arsenal midfielder believes the Premier League title triumph could make a real difference for his country this summer.

Speaking to Sky Sports after England’s 3-0 warm-up win over Costa Rica, Rice described the mindset he has brought into camp.

“It’s been really good, feel really fit, feel strong. I think winning that Premier League, for me, I’ve come here with a sense of confidence like a spring in my step,” he said.

🏆 Which Arsenal star will go the furthest at this summer’s World Cup?

Zubimendi and Spain? Saka and England? Saliba and France?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

“We have got over the line now with Arsenal, it’s given me that confidence that we can come here and achieve big things as well. So look, I’m in a really good place at the minute.”

Thomas Tuchel has described Rice as having the ‘highest football IQ‘ and appointed the £105million midfielder England’s vice-captain, widely seen as the heir apparent to Harry Kane’s armband.

Rice opened the scoring against Costa Rica after just nine minutes, and looked sharp throughout the 60 minutes he played.

He is heading into this tournament at the very top of his game. Adam Wharton, who didn’t quite make the squad, thinks so too, after he named Rice in his top three central midfielders in the world.

Declan Rice’s confidence could be contagious for England

There is something powerful about a player who has spent years coming close — two successive runners-up finishes with Arsenal, three in Bukayo Saka’s case — and has finally got over the line.

Declan Rice knows what it takes to sustain a title challenge, to hold firm when the pressure is at its most intense, and to deliver when it matters most.

Tuchel has praised the impact the Arsenal players have had on the camp, suggesting that he can see the benefit of their winning mentality filtering through to the squad.

England have their own history of near-misses at major tournaments, which Rice has also been a key part of.

If he can channel the same mentality that finally brought Arsenal their first Premier League title in 22 years into an England shirt this summer, Tuchel will be a very happy manager indeed.