Wayne Rooney believes England already has its next captain in waiting, after watching Declan Rice deliver a commanding performance that carried Arsenal back to the summit of the Premier League and reinforced his credentials as a future Three Lions skipper.
Rooney, who wore the armband at international level between 2014 and 2017, was present at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening as Mikel Arteta’s side ground out a hard-fought 1–0 victory.
For Rooney, it was Rice’s authority rather than the scoreline that stood out.
Rice, 26, has already accumulated 72 senior England caps and has twice captained the national side in the absence of Harry Kane, most recently in the 3–0 victory over Wales in October.
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Speaking on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney suggested the Arsenal midfielder is the natural heir to Kane’s leadership role whenever the current captain steps aside.
“For me, he’s the one who’s probably waiting for Harry to hang up his boots at some point,” Rooney said.
“He was all over the pitch. His decision-making – when to pass it, where to pass it, what foot to pass it to, his detail on his pass – it was a pleasure to watch. He was absolutely incredible.”
Wayne Rooney believes England already has its next captain in waiting, after watching Declan Rice deliver a commanding performance that carried Arsenal back to the summit of the Premier League and reinforced his credentials as a future Three Lions skipper
|PA
Rooney was particularly struck by Rice’s tactical intelligence and adaptability, qualities that have underpinned Arsenal’s title challenge this season.
“He was splitting centre-backs, taking the ball off Arsenal’s centre-backs, acting as a third centre-back, then next minute he’s in the box, trying to score a goal,” he said.
“Sometimes, some of the stuff he does is a bit underrated.”
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Beyond technical ability, Rooney emphasised Rice’s personality and influence within the squad.
“He’s the right one to take over [from Kane] for me, because of his drive, his personality. Everyone seems to love him, who knows him, who’s close to him," he said.
"He’s irreplaceable for England.”
Rooney’s analysis extended beyond Rice to another familiar name, as he assessed the resurgence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin following a difficult final period at Everton.
The striker, now 28, endured an injury-plagued end to his time at Goodison Park, scoring just three times in his final season and missing more than three months with a hamstring problem.
After a slow start to life at Leeds United, Calvert-Lewin has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting in five consecutive matches and scoring twice in Saturday’s 4–1 win over Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
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Rooney believes that run of form could yet earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“If he continues this, then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be talked about – or even get an opportunity – to go to the World Cup, purely because of the lack of forwards England have got,” Rooney said.
“He competes, he’s great in the air, he’s good in both boxes. When he’s in a run of form and scoring goals like he is, he’s a handful to play against.”
Rooney also defended Everton’s decision not to renew Calvert-Lewin’s contract, despite his prolific earlier years on Merseyside.
“Over the past couple of seasons, he was never fit, really, and he was out of contract,” he said.
“It would have been very difficult for Everton to give him a new contract with his injury record, but he’s gone to Leeds, kept himself fit. The physios are doing a good job with him there.”