England face Argentina tonight in the World Cup semi-final, with a place in the final against Spain up for grabs.
Three Arsenal players are already in the final, and if England win, that will make it seven.
But there are concerns surrounding the man at the heart of Thomas Tuchel’s midfield.
Declan Rice only played the first half against Norway in the quarter-finals, having spent most of the three days prior to the game in bed with illness.
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The Arsenal midfielder impressed there vs DR Congo!
Tuchel apparently knew before kick-off that Rice could not complete 90 minutes.
However, he is expected to start tonight and Sky Sports News report he has recovered well, but he continues to manage the neural issue in his lower back and hamstring that has followed him throughout this tournament.
With Rice not at his sharpest, Wayne Rooney has raised concern about how Argentina could exploit an England weakness.
Wayne Rooney’s Declan Rice concern against Lionel Messi
Speaking on BBC’s Football Daily, Rooney outlined the problem.
“I think for Rice and Anderson, that’s why I said I’d drop Jude in alongside him defensively as well to have that extra player in there.
“Because Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, for me, one of the biggest assets in the game is how they go and press the ball.
“I think that could be quite dangerous to do that against Argentina with Messi picking up positions.
“A lot of the time with Messi, when you lose the ball, he’s in behind you. If you go and press their midfield players, like Mac Allister, one pass could absolutely take Anderson and Declan Rice out of the game.”
Rice and Anderson’s running and aggressive pressing has been key to England’s World Cup run.
Against most opponents, it works. But Rooney thinks that against Argentina, with Lionel Messi lurking in the spaces behind the press, it could make England vulnerable, particularly with Rice not at his physical peak.
Much like England, Argentina have scraped through games, but Messi’s eight goals and two assists have been enough to drag them through.
Arsenal target Julian Alvarez was the hero in the last round, after his superb strike from outside the box put them ahead against Switzerland in extra time.
Mikel Arteta will be desperately hoping Rice can come through tonight unscathed, especially after William Saliba’s back problem worsened for France.
The title defence begins on 21 August, and Arsenal may have to start the season without their most important players.
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