Aaron Cresswell, the former West Ham left-back, describes Declan Rice as a “He can play six or seven games a week,” marveling at his stamina. Cresswell notes, “God knows how many he’s played in the last few years.” reflecting on how many matches Rice has participated in over the years.
Since the beginning of the 2020-21 season, Rice has played 360 games. His unrelenting schedule has seen him play crucial roles for West Ham during their notable European campaigns in 2022 and 2023. He has also been a key player for Gareth Southgate’s England and has continued to be impactful for Arsenal in both the Premier League and Champions League since joining the club three years ago.
Despite his incredible endurance, Rice appeared fatigued during his 63rd appearance of the 2025-26 season in England’s turbulent 4-2 victory over Croatia in their World Cup opener. The 27-year-old did not perform at his usual level, with the midfield lacking cohesion. There was excessive space between Rice and Elliot Anderson in a concerning first half, and Rice found himself dropping too deep, allowing Luka Modric to exploit spaces.
Thomas Tuchel may address these tactical issues before England’s upcoming match against Ghana on Tuesday. However, the situation raised alarms when Rice was substituted in the 72nd minute while England led 3-2 against Croatia. It is unusual for Rice, known for his ball-winning abilities, to be taken off in such circumstances, which heightens concerns about his fitness as England relies on him heavily.
Tuchel reported that Rice experienced discomfort in his lower back and upper hamstring. He emphasized that the substitution was a precautionary measure, and Rice himself expressed confidence in his availability for the game against Ghana. Nonetheless, England must proceed with caution.
The ramifications of Rice’s potential injury are significant. The midfield struggled in his absence, with Tuchel diplomatically noting, “Declan had some unusual ball losses,” England’s track record shows they rarely perform well without him, and there is no direct substitute for his role within the squad.
While Kobbie Mainoo possesses impressive skills, he is younger and lacks Rice’s physicality and set-piece expertise. Jordan Henderson remains an option but at 36 years old, he was not utilized against Croatia as England aimed to maintain their high tempo. Tuchel faces a dilemma.
Initially, Tuchel shifted Jude Bellingham back to fill the gap left by Rice, but this adjustment nearly allowed Croatia to equalize, prompting a revert after just eight minutes. Eventually, the introduction of Djed Spence for Bellingham offered a glimpse into how England might adapt without Rice. This change enabled Reece James to move from right-back into a midfield position where he has excelled for Chelsea over the past year and a half.
James could prove to be a viable midfield option if Rice’s playing time needs to be managed. Previously, he played in that role during a loan at Wigan for the 2018-19 season. While primarily a right-back or right-wingback, he underwent a positional transformation during Enzo Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea, where he was successfully deployed in midfield, notably contributing to the team’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final last year.
Tuchel, once skeptical of James’s ability to play in the midfield, has since come to appreciate his versatility. He remarked, “Reece James can play in the 6 because he does on a high level for Chelsea,” when naming his World Cup squad and explaining the omission of Adam Wharton and Alex Scott.
Versatility is a crucial attribute for Tuchel’s selections. If James transitions out of the back four, players like Spence, Ezri Konsa, and Jarell Quansah are capable of stepping in at right-back. Alternatively, Tuchel might consider deploying Konsa as a third center-back alongside John Stones and Marc Guéhi, allowing Nico O’Reilly to advance from left-back.
However, there are concerns regarding James’s fitness, particularly given his history of hamstring injuries, the latest of which sidelined him for nearly two months beginning in March. Chelsea has managed his condition carefully, complicating matters for England.
With Tino Livramento sidelined due to a calf injury, Tuchel has replaced the Newcastle full-back with Trevoh Chalobah. Many squad members are feeling the strain of a demanding season. Although James is the first choice at right-back, he cannot handle every match, especially if Rice’s fitness remains uncertain.
As the World Cup nears, Tuchel has grappled with these fitness dilemmas. The decision to travel early to Florida for a pre-tournament training camp was influenced by the need for optimal conditioning. Rice joined the squad late after participating in the Champions League final but continues to push his limits. Will this relentless pursuit take a toll on him?
If England progresses to the final and Rice is not afforded a rest, he will have accumulated 70 appearances for club and country this season, a staggering demand. Tuchel must formulate alternative strategies.
