Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has claimed that England now have a problem on their hands regarding one Arsenal player after the conclusion of Euro 2024.
The Three Lions once again fell short in the final of the European Championship as England were beaten 2-1 by Spain in Berlin, with La Roja worthy winners after setting their stool out early as the best team at this summer’s Euros.
Whilst there were some encouraging performances from the likes of Jordan Pickford, England were simply unable to match Spain’s quality on the ball and the fluid system that every team at this summer’s competition has failed to negate effectively.
Yet Pardew believes England now have a problem with an Arsenal player.
Declan Rice not used correctly in England’s midfield despite Arsenal success
Speaking on TalkSport, the former Crystal Palace and West Brom manager highlighted how Declan Rice isn’t being used correctly for England, with the Arsenal star sitting too deep and failing to engage with the rest of the midfield.
With Rice flourishing as a left-sided no. 8 for the Gunners last season, Gareth Southgate deploying the former West Ham man in a similar role could have been the key to success for England with another midfielder screening the defence.
However, Rice was chosen to be the deepest midfielder for England at this summer’s Euros, and in the words of Pardew, the tactic simply didn’t work with the Arsenal star not connecting enough with his teammates.
Pardew said on Rice: “I have an issue with Declan Rice in this English team anyway that he sits too deep, so he can’t engage the midfield. We kind of lose the midfield player covering in front of the centre-backs. And they they did it again last night.”
England’s next era has to include the evolution of Rice
With Rafael van der Vaart also slamming Rice for his mundane midfield performance in the Euro 2024 final, it’s pretty clear that England’s next tactical evolution has to include catching up with what the Arsenal midfielder is now becoming.
Arteta has unlocked a side of Rice’s game that few would have predicted the 25-year-old to be capable of, with the midfielder enjoying his most productive year yet as a professional.
And for England, using Rice in his new role ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be key in the Three Lions finally winning international silverware, with the midfielder simply too good going forward to be sat as deep as he has been.
