Joe Cole thinks shouts for Arsenal’s Declan Rice to play in a more advanced midfield role for England are wrong, and he should be protecting the back four instead.
There has been a lot of discussion over where Rice fits into the Three Lions’ team, especially given Thomas Tuchel’s plethora of midfield options.
🤔 Is Declan Rice a number six or a number eight?
Many have suggested that Rice should play in a more advanced number eight role, with someone like Adam Wharton sitting deeper in the number six.
However, Cole has a very different view on how Rice should be utilised and has revealed he would rather see him marshalling the midfield just in front of the back four.
Joe Cole wants Declan Rice to play deeper for England
Joe Cole has called for Declan Rice to play in a deeper midfield role for England at the 2026 World Cup.
The former Premier League winger believes that Elliot Anderson should be the more advanced star, with Jude Bellingham playing in the number ten.
Cole thinks that England are now so strong in the number eight role that they can afford for the Arsenal midfielder to drop deeper and protect the back four.
“I would have Declan deeper than he plays at Arsenal, and there’s a big push for him to be playing (further forwards), but we’re so strong in that position, Cole told The Dressing Room.
Who are you choosing: Prime Cesc Fabregas vs current Declan Rice? 🤔
“I don’t get that. I would say to Declan, you are the most crucial player on the pitch. You are an experienced player. You have to marshal that.
“Elliot Anderson’s coming into you as a youngster. Elliot Anderson’s got all of the legs. He’s got all the legs, right?
“I think if England win this World Cup, we’re going to have to win it a little bit and we have to be really good off the ball and protect the back four.”
Anderson and Wharton will compete for the final midfield spot, and it will be interesting to see which player Tuchel partners Rice with.
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