DECLAN: I NEED TO WIN
Only lifting Euros trophy can cure Rice after his Premier League heartbreak
ARSENAL midfielder Declan Rice believes the only way to recover from not winning the Premier League last season is to secure Euro 2024 success with England.
Rice was an integral part of the Arsenal side that finished just two points behind champions Manchester City following an enthralling title race that ultimately saw the Gunners come up short.
It was Rice’s first season in north London after he joined from West Ham for a club- record £ 105million and he contributed seven goals and eight assists to Arsenal’s cause.
Having narrowly missed out on a league winners’ medal, Rice is now expected to be a crucial member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad in Germany this summer.
“I said straight after the end of the season to my mum and dad that the only thing that would get me over not winning the Premier League is winning the Euros,” Rice said.
“It was really tough to swallow that we missed out by two points but now there’s this beautiful opportunity in front of us to go and do something special.
“To do that I think would be one of the pinnacles of football, to win something for your country. There’s a long way to go, seven big games in a tournament, but full focus on that.”
Rice is joined in the England ranks by club- mates Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka as well as title rivals from City Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden.
“I think I take a lot from the City boys in that way,” added the former West Ham skipper.
“Whereas I’ve obviously been in my first title race this season and understanding the pressures and the big moments you have to go through. My respect levels were high but they went through the roof in terms of they ( City) have won four in a row.
“I’ve been in my first title race and to deliver every week, winning football matches in the Premier League, is so hard and they’ve done that.
“It’s about that mentality, that shift, and we want to take that now into the summer.
Ranks
“We have a lot of City boys here, a lot of boys who have played in biglevel games. I think we can use that experience and take it into the tournament, which we’re confident of doing.”
At just 25, Rice is the oldest midfield option in Gareth Southgate’s ranks and picked up his 51st cap in
Friday’s final warm- up game against Iceland. “When I saw the squad earlier, I saw that I was the oldest one. I didn’t really know how to take it, to be honest,” he added.
“Obviously, it’s a midfield packed with excitement, full of energy and five or six players who are ready to go there and give it everything.
“There’s going to be a lot of question marks over the midfield and whether we have that experience.
“I feel like now I’ve gained so much experience over the last two years that I can kind of guide the younger players in a way.”
Rice believes England’s midfield has a bright future as Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton joined him in the squad.
Mainoo, 19, impressed on his senior debut during the March international break having enjoyed a fine breakthrough season at Manchester United that culminated
in a goal in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
Meanwhile, 20- year- old Wharton worked his way into Southgate’s squad having hit the ground running at Crystal Palace following a January move from Blackburn before making his England bow in Monday’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I think we saw in the last camp against Belgium and Brazil what Kobbie could do,” said Rice.
Additions
“Obviously the last six months, all season really, what he’s done at Manchester United and he clearly deserves his place in the squad.
“Adam played his first half of the season in the Championship, came to Crystal Palace and has been outstanding.
“I think in training he’s impressed a lot of players – he is so composed and calm on the ball. He’s got a beautiful left foot, just a really down to earth boy, wants to learn.
“I think he’s one of those that doesn’t get fazed by big things. So they are two great additions and the future’s looking bright in midfield.”
Gareth Southgate expects Luke Shaw to be available for England’s second group game after taking a “gamble” on the Manchester United left- back’s fitness for Euro 2024.
The 28- year- old has endured an injury- hit season and been out since mid- February with his latest muscle complaint, putting his place in Germany in serious jeopardy.
Southgate admitted Shaw was a “long shot” and something of a “wild card” when naming his initial 33- man training squad, but steady progress saw the Euro 2020 final goalscorer make the final cut on Thursday.
“He’s progressed really well in the last couple of weeks,” said the England boss, who left out United team- mate Harry Maguire due to fitness issues of his own.
“At the moment, we think he can have some involvement in the second group game. But of course, you’ve got to keep hitting the markers.
“He’s had a good volume of work operating at good speeds as well. I think you can take one gamble and that’s the gamble that we’ve got enough evidence to believe it can pay off.
“And also, positionally, because of what he brings, with his experience, the fact he’s a leftfooter who can drive forward and give us a different attacking option as well, then it is a situation we wanted to explore.”