Declan Rice was asked what souvenir he would want to commemorate winning Euro 2024. Maybe he could agree, like several of his teammates, to get a celebration tattoo. Perhaps a drastic use of hair color could result in something chicer and less long-lasting. Rather, Rice grabbed the deadpan directly. We seem to have done it in the World Cup and the most recent European Championship, so I don’t want to jinx anything,” he said. “You start to wonder, ‘Why did we talk about things before they even happened?'” when things don’t work out as planned. After one more game, we may discuss ridiculous tattoos and hairstyles.
Rice said he didn’t want to “be robotic” or seem like a killjoy. England has before been set on fire. Now that they are so close, it is mostly down to the perseverance and passion of a player who sets the tone in Gareth Southgate’s coaching staff. “You get what you see when you work with me,” he declared. He’s not in any danger of hiding, for sure. Speaking with the authority of someone who has seen, listened, researched, and considered, he exudes a captain’s demeanor.
One of Rice’s advantages is that, even on the few times when he plays poorly, he always has the capacity to set an example for everyone around him. That was undoubtedly the case on Wednesday against the Netherlands, when his partner’s commitment to cover every blade of grass contributed significantly to Kobbie Mainoo’s incredible performance. No one has gone farther than Rice in this competition, and it was noteworthy to hear him state that he feels more agile than he did in the early going of this seven-game marathon.
“I felt more tired during the first few games than I do now,” he remarked. “As the games get more intense, the adrenaline rush increases. You receive an additional burst of energy and fire. We’ll all sprint through brick walls on Sunday in an effort to win this game. We’ll put it our all, whether it takes 90 or 120 minutes. All we can ask of each other is that.
In a championship game when midfield ball control is crucial, it stands to reason that Rice vs. Rodri will be the pivotal match. “We’re often compared to each other, but I believe we’re entirely different players,” he remarked, acknowledging that the battleground’s location was similar but not exact. The fight for midfield will be crucial.
In his eloquent and lengthy speech, Rice discussed how they felt they lost the 2021 match against Italy because of the “numbers game” that comes with trying to control midfield. He feels that since England switched to a 3-4-2-1 style against Switzerland, they have achieved the ideal balance. He declared, “We’ve had much better control.” We did a great job passing the ball and moving more fluidly between the lines. We’ve maintained our composure. We’re all pretty confident, I think, that we can build on our performance from the last final and demonstrate that we know what it takes to win a final.
A recurring topic in the conversation is the anguish of three years ago at Wembley, a subject that Rice has thoroughly discussed in the past. Reminded once more, he remarked, “Seeing Italy walk up at our home stadium and lift that trophy is something that lives with you.” However, he also clarified that Southgate made a concerted effort to instill more optimistic thoughts in the team’s heads prior to their departure for Germany.
“He showed us memorable scenes from the Rugby World Cup, the Ashes, and the celebrations in London at our meeting at St George’s Park. To gain a sense of how we may affect a country, there were images depicting what it would look like.
To a man, England’s players ardently defend Southgate. It’s not only decorative. Though the team has witnessed his personal touch on a daily basis, the manager has occasionally showed the public his frail side in recent weeks. Rice remarked, “He deserves it more than anyone.” “One of the most closely watched positions in the world is the one in England. It was difficult following the group stage—there were jeers and items being thrown into the field. You must recognize that and maintain your composure when it happens. Even if he was experiencing something different, the way he responded to us thereafter and his composure helped us feel the same.
“Someone seemed to be speaking hurtful things only to be hurtful. It has now somewhat altered, which is excellent. We can now sense the confidence and the affection.”
When the identities of the finalists were disclosed, his club manager, Mikel Arteta, quickly responded with a playful “Vamos!” The two had a ten-minute conversation earlier in the week. Rice, who has been playing well for Arsenal, mentioned how interacting with their England Women team at the training site and learning about their successes at the European Championship has stoked his appetite even more.
In Blankenhain, where England spent their final day on Friday before heading to Berlin and trying to control their fate, that appetite has reached a fever pitch. It might be hours before we hear about body painting and bleach. He remarked, “I’ve never seen a group so motivated.” “English football is headed for greatness, but we need to prove that we can win now.” Since 1966, we have not nearly reached the key moments. We have a fantastic opportunity right now to advance and win as a country and as players.
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