Thomas Tuchel has delivered a glowing verdict on an Arsenal player.
Four Gunners are included in the 26-man England squad for the World Cup — Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke — while Ethan Nwaneri has also travelled as part of the training camp.
Rice has been named as the team’s vice-captain for the tournament, joining the leadership group headed by Harry Kane.
Tuchel clearly sees the Arsenal midfielder as Kane’s natural successor in the long term, despite tension with Jude Bellingham about the matter.
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The England manager’s comments ahead of the final warm-up match against Costa Rica on Wednesday highlight exactly why.
Thomas Tuchel says Declan Rice is one of the very best midfielders in Europe
In his latest press conference, Tuchel was asked about Rice’s qualities and did not hold back.
“He has the highest football IQ. He takes care about our structure, adaptation, rhythm in our game. He had an outstanding last two seasons in his personal career. One of the very best midfielders in Europe,” the England manager said.
Having worked with some of the finest midfielders in world football during his time at Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG, his assessment of Rice as one of Europe’s very best is quite the endorsement.
The ‘highest football IQ’ comment is particularly telling. Rice might not be the most naturally gifted player in technical terms, but his ability to read the game, show for the ball and adapt to whatever a match demands of him sets him apart.
It is exactly what Mikel Arteta has built his Arsenal midfield around, and exactly what Tuchel is now leaning on for England’s World Cup campaign.
Rice arrives at the tournament off the back of an exceptional season, where he was instrumental in Arsenal winning the Premier League title.
The Gunners are keen to reward him with a new contract, with his current deal running until 2028, and a strong showing in North America would only increase Rice’s stock further.
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