Why not having Rice would leave England missing a key ingredient

GARETH SOUTHGATE faces an anxious wait over Declan Rice ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final against France, after he missed training yesterday due to illness.

- 

The absence of Rice would be a huge blow for England. The West Ham star is a crucial player and could hold the key as England’s dynamic, new-look midfield try to take control of the game against the defending champions.

There is also no one more important to cutting off the supply line to Kylian Mbappe. Antoine Griezmann is the player France most look to for getting the ball to Mbappe, and the Atletico Madrid star drops into central areas occupied by Rice.

Bypassing Rice has proven difficult for opposition teams so far in Qatar. He has covered more distance than any other England player in the first four matches, and that ability to get around the pitch has allowed him to make the most defensive actions of any player in Southgate’s squad.

It has helped England to have the second-best defence (two goals conceded) in the tournament and the jointbest attack (12 goals scored).

Against Senegal, Rice allowed Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson to make forward runs that proved decisive.