Rio Ferdinand says Declan Rice needs to change England role to copy what he ‘does for Arsenal’

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England are set to face Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, and Arsenal star Declan Rice will come under the microscope.

Although England have reached the quarter-final stage, they have been slammed for their poor performances, and they were less than a minute away from elimination against Slovakia before Jude Bellingham came up with what Mikel Arteta described as a “big moment” with an overhead kick to level the score.

Rice delivered a much-improved display at the base of midfield after coming under criticism earlier on in the tournament, but England are still not functioning well as a team.

The 25-year-old was outstanding for Arsenal in midfield alongside Martin Odegaard and Jorginho, and perhaps England are missing someone of the Italian’s profile to help Rice thrive, but former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has now claimed the Englishman needs to do one thing to step up his game for the National Team.

Rio Ferdinand wants Arsenal star Declan Rice to push higher up the pitch for England

In a column for BBC Sport, Ferdinand claimed that Rice and Manchester City star John Stones need to replicate what they do at club level by pushing further up the pitch for England.

“It comes down to individuals breaking out, which is what I used to do myself when I brought the ball out of defence, knowing it would bring one of the opposition players out of position and give us a spare man to use in the attack,” Ferdinand stated of England in possession.

“As well as Stones, I would like to see Declan Rice trying it further up the pitch as well. When he does it for Arsenal, it opens the game up massively.”

Declan Rice benefits from playing in more advanced role

Although Rice excelled at the base of midfield when he first joined Arsenal last year, his best performances came when he was allowed to push further forward.

His advanced role let him win the ball high up the pitch, whilst also contributing in terms of goals and assists. This also helped Arsenal retain possession closer to the opposition box, and sustain attacks.

England playing so deep has prevented Rice from excelling at ball-winning, and he has been left isolated in deep midfield positions at times under Gareth Southgate.

Rice will come up against Granit Xhaka in a tough midfield battle against Switzerland, and he should aim to press higher to try and prevent the former Arsenal star from being able to dictate the game.