West Ham and
England midfielder takes strength from being released by
Chelsea when he was 14 and like ‘Bambi on ice’The West Ham player billed as the new Bobby Moore takes a moment to think, attempting to process a remarkable couple of years since breaking into the first team. On the one hand it is a dream come true for Declan Rice to be reunited with long-term friend Mason Mount in the England side, with long international careers predicted for two players still shy of their 21st birthdays. Yet on the other hand you only have to consider the number of changes Gareth Southgate has made since last year’s
World Cup to realise nothing can be taken for granted.
“When you see some of the big names who have been left out, it shows you have to be on your game constantly,” Rice says. “The competition is strong, so you need to keep your head down, keep working and make sure the manager can’t leave you out.