Scott Parker has dismissed claims Thomas Tuchel should drop Declan Rice, insisting the Arsenal midfielder is 'pivotal' to England's World Cup hopes. Rice, who helped Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final last season, was left out of England's final group game against Panama. This was partly due to fitness with the 27-year-old struggling with a back issue for several months but also as he was at risk of suspension after receiving a yellow card in the draw with Ghana.
Parker's strong defence of Rice
It has been suggested that England will not need both Rice and Elliot Anderson in the team for Wednesday's last-32 clash with DR Congo given the Three Lions will expect to dominate possession. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes said he would leave Rice on the bench and back new Manchester City signing Elliot Anderson to be the sole sitting midfielder.
But ex-England midfielder Parker would always call upon 'manager's dream' Rice and says he is one of Tuchel's 'foundation pillars'. 'Four words come to mind when I think about England's hopes of winning the World Cup: we need Declan Rice,' Parker told The Telegraph.
Rice's importance to England's midfield
'There has been some debate since England beat Panama over whether Declan should have extra recovery, potentially sitting out the last-32 contest with DR Congo. The concern for his wellbeing, given he is managing a hamstring issue, is understandable. But Declan is pivotal. If England are going to go deep in this tournament, he is one of Thomas Tuchel's foundation pillars – a manager's dream. Whatever you ask him to do, he will do it.
'He is a "builder" when he plays as a No 6, in that he gets attacks moving. He can play the No 8 role as well as anyone and has arrived at this tournament on the back of a season in which he was one of the Premier League's Players of the Year. He is a physical specimen with great strength and his ability to run with the ball is underappreciated.'
Parker highlights Rice's unique qualities
Parker, who left Burnley following their relegation from the Premier League last season, added: 'The other asset you lose by not having him in the team is world-class delivery. How often do you see him fail to beat the first man from a set-piece? Never. It's not by luck that he keeps putting the ball into the right places and it has already worked to England's advantage in America.'
'I love his story because he was not a standout as a boy and he had the courage to overcome being released by Chelsea to become one of the top men in his position in the game. Players like him are hard to come by. That is why England need Declan Rice.'
England's World Cup path
Tuchel is bidding to lead England to their first World Cup trophy since 1966 after replacing Sir Gareth Southgate. If they get past DR Congo, the Three Lions will face Ecuador or World Cup co-hosts Mexico for a place in the quarter-finals.
