PitchGuide

Tue, Jul 28

Declan Rice

Declan Rice

England·Midfielder·Age 26

This England midfielder is basically the team's anchor in the middle of the field—he's the guy who breaks up opposing attacks and starts plays from the back, kind of like a quarterback in football. He's special because he combines that defensive toughness with the ability to actually pass the ball around and control the game, which isn't easy to do. At the World Cup, England is counting on him to be their stabilizing force, especially against top-tier teams that'll try to overwhelm them in midfield. When you're watching, look for how often he pops up to make a tackle or intercept, and notice how the team seems to flow better when he's got the ball and directing traffic.

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