Gary Lineker has warned Declan Rice that his England place could be under threat following the emergence of Alex Scott. The Bournemouth midfielder was handed his first start for the Three Lions on Saturday, delivering a standout performance in their 7-0 victory over Croatia.
Scott's Impressive Debut
The 23-year-old has been ruled out of Tuesday's clash with Czechia due to an injury that is expected to sideline him for two months. However, Scott's display against Croatia left a lasting impression on Thomas Tuchel, who had also called him up in June for England's pre-World Cup camp.
Lineker was equally impressed and believes Rice should take notice, as Scott offers a different dimension. "What an assured performance we saw from Alex Scott," the former England striker said on The Rest is Football podcast.
Lineker's Assessment
"I watched him quite closely and it's obviously only one game against a team who didn't play very well on the night, but he was a big part of the game. If you look at the great teams that win tournaments, they have control in games and I think Alex Scott is a player we haven't necessarily seen within that England midfield.
"Declan Rice has his strengths and is brilliant with his delivery and work-rate, but there's a calmness and control to Scott, he never gives the ball away and he's always scanning. I was really impressed; what a very, very confident start to his England career.
"I wonder what Thomas Tuchel is going to do because Alex Scott has that kind of control and Declan Rice's a totally different player. Does it give him a different option now and does it mean, perhaps, that Declan's place is not always assured?
"Maybe he will want to play slightly differently with someone like Alex Scott. It might be a bit early to say that but it's a conversation to be had."
Tuchel's Praise
Rice has been a mainstay under Tuchel, even when the Arsenal star was not fully fit for games at the World Cup. But Scott has given the England manager an alternative, and Tuchel was full of praise following the record-breaking win in Rijeka.
"First start and what a start, what a performance," Tuchel said. "He is so smooth on the ball, his decision making is at the highest level. He plays with so much confidence.
"He is so active, so confident. The work rate off the ball. He is just the complete package. He gave us a lot of mobility and a lot of variety and work rate in the centre of the pitch."
Scott's Hunger
Scott also spoke after the match and is 'hungry' to prove himself at international level, having missed out on Tuchel's squad for the World Cup. "It gave me more hunger but I've said there's so many top players for this country, it's a tough squad to get into," the midfielder acknowledged.
"There was no bad feelings about not going to the World Cup, I went to the prep camp, I wanted to do that and learn as much as I can and it helped me coming into this camp and starting to play games."
