Rice seeking to right surprise Euro defeat [video]

  • by Staff Writer
  • Monday, 14th October 2019

Declan Rice is hoping to help England return to winning ways when the Three Lions face Bulgaria in their latest European Championship qualifier tonight.

Gareth Southgate's young team were beaten 2-1 by the Czech Republic on Friday night, marking the first defeat in qualifying for England in more than ten years.

Rice, who featured for the full 90 minutes was one of several England players slammed by the media and pundits including Roy Keane following England's defeat in the Sinobo Stadium.

However the 20-year-old Hammer is hoping to be given the opportunity to make amends for that defeat in Bulgaria this evening.

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Despite the criticisms of Rice's performance against the Czechs, he received support from Daily Mail columnist Jamie Redknapp on Monday - although the former Liverpool midfielder suggested that the youngster could be employed in defence.

"I see a centre back in the 20-year-old and that is where his future could lie for club and country, rather than being used solely in midfield," wrote Redknapp.

"In the modern game, players are being told to pass it out from the back, and Rice is capable of executing that.

"He'd be more than happy to get on the ball and has the intelligence needed to form an effective centre back partnership.

"He ranks fourth [in the Premier League] for interceptions and seventh for ball recoveries. I believe he could apply those talents to central defence, too, while being the proficient passer Gareth Southgate wants."

Meanwhile stories linking Rice with a switch to ailing Manchester United arose once more at the weekend. The Daily Mirror's Simon Mullock claimed that the Red Devils are preparing a £70million bid for the Hammer.

Highlights of Friday's match between England and the Czech Republic may be seen below.




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