Declan Rice
ArsenalCM (RB)
Ball-Winning Midfielder
Jan 14, 1999 (27)
Right
6'2"
185 lb
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Ends game in discomfort
Rice had three shots (zero on goal), 12 crosses (three accurate), six chances created and nine corners in Tuesday's 0-0 draw versus Ghana. After the game, he was seen limping with his left calf strapped, per David Ornstein of The Athletic.
Analysis: Rice's set-piece activity allowed him to generate significant playmaking production, which was more than enough to make up for the yellow card he received during the draw. However, the holding midfielder was denied an assist this time after setting up one goal in the World Cup opener versus Croatia. He appeared to be dealing with a physical issue at the end of the match, but the severity of the potential injury is unknown. His eventual absence would be a massive blow to the Three Lions' midfield, considering that he's their primary set piece taker, and his average of 5.0 chances created per game is the highest figure among all players in the competition. All of Nico O'Reilly, Eberechi Eze, and perhaps Kobbie Mainoo could see increased action if Rice is forced to miss time due to the issue.
Earns assist, shakes off injury concerns
Rice recorded one assist on four chances created and has denied any sort of injury after his early substitution, the player told Arthur Ferridge of The Standard. "All good, good as gold. Just what I've been nursing, probably, in the second half of the season at Arsenal, little neural pains here and there. But yeah, I'm all good, I'm all fine, just precaution, and I'll be back out there again against Ghana."
Analysis: Rice had himself a great opening match Wednesday, earning an assist on the second goal of the match when he found the head of Harry Kane off a corner kick. He would add so much more in the attack with a shot, four chances created and nine crosses, although the assist was his only goal contribution. He was also the only England player to take a corner Wednesday with eight, a huge addition to his value. The good news moving forward is that his early exit was not due to injury and was only a precautionary substitution, still likely to start against Ghana.
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