Declan Rice is reaching for the mantra that turned Arsenal's season around — a whispered "it's not done" that became a rallying cry for their first Premier League title in 22 years. Now, as England enter the knockout stage of the World Cup, the midfielder insists the same defiance will be needed.
Thomas Tuchel's side face DR Congo in Atlanta in the last 32, with Rice warning that anyone expecting an easy ride is mistaken. “It’s going to be a really tough game,” he said. “And looking at the potential route of what could happen, it’s going to be really, really tough games to the final.”
“Declan Rice says England will adopt Arsenal's 'it's not done' mindset as they face DR Congo in World Cup last 32.”
Rice’s catchphrase was born in April, when he was caught on camera mouthing the words after Arsenal lost to Manchester City. The message was a turning point. Now he says England must adopt that mindset. “There’s definitely going to be moments of that. There’s going to be moments where we’re going to have setbacks in games,” he said. “This is a World Cup. The best teams are left, the best players are left and the World Cup could throw up surprises.”
The admission that it could have backfired is not lost on Rice. “It could have gone either way! That would have lived with me forever!” he said with a smile. “Luckily it went the way I wanted it to be perceived, even though it was crazy how that all came about.”
Tuchel, meanwhile, has a decision to make in defence, with Rice pushing for a return to the starting XI. England topped their group but were far from convincing, a fact Rice acknowledges. “It’s hard to explain it. You guys (the media) understand it but to a neutral, when you look at the quality of an England side … you would say, ‘Right, how are we not scoring four or five?’ ”
He pointed to the discipline of opponents already faced. “Ghana were incredibly well-drilled, even Panama the other night. The boss was saying they’re the same ranking as Wales and Serbia, they’re not terrible opposition.”
Breaking down low blocks is key, and Rice believes an early goal could change everything. “If you can get an early goal in games against low blocks, I think that’s when you’ll see teams start to open up.”
As England’s potential route twists towards a quarter-final with Brazil, Rice knows there is no room for complacency. “Teams are here to win. I understand the heat, I understand how teams have a way of playing against us, and anything to win, I suppose.”