Declan Rice is on track to recover from an illness and maintain his starting position for England’s World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina on Wednesday.
The Arsenal midfielder was taken off at halftime during England’s quarter-final victory over Norway, with Thomas Tuchel disclosing that Rice had spent the majority of the previous three days in bed due to illness. However, it has been reported that Rice is feeling significantly better since the team returned to their base in Kansas City before heading to Atlanta on Tuesday, and he is anticipated to partner with Elliot Anderson in midfield against the reigning champions.
England is also monitoring the fitness of Ezri Konsa, who had to leave the pitch against Norway due to cramping. Nevertheless, the Aston Villa defender is expected to be available to start at right-back. Tuchel may opt to reinstate Reece James after the Chelsea captain’s impactful second-half appearance against Norway, while Bukayo Saka is also in contention for a starting role after his impressive performance off the bench.
Jordan Pickford emphasized the importance of keeping composure against Argentina, insisting that the team will not be swayed by the intense competition between the two nations. The semi-final in Atlanta marks the first encounter between England and Argentina in the World Cup since 2002, a match loaded with historical significance. Pickford believes maintaining their cool could be pivotal for achieving victory.
“You’ve seen throughout the tournament, you’ve seen our desire to win titles, we’ve not gotten into any scuffles or anything,” he said. “We’ve been very respectful within the game – if decisions go our way or if they don’t go our way, we just reset, we go again, and we let the football do the talking. It just shows our mentality, we don’t get wrapped up in things like that, we stay focused.”
When asked if he was excited to face Lionel Messi for the first time, the Everton goalkeeper remarked.
“It’s great to finally come up against him – I watched him a lot as a kid. We all know how good Messi is but we also know how good Argentina are so we can’t focus solely on him.”
Authorities in Atlanta are on high alert in anticipation of Wednesday’s semi-final, with thousands of fans from both nations expected at a stadium featuring numerous unsegregated seats. Pickford recognized the importance of the match but stressed that England must not become overwhelmed by the occasion.
“It’s just a game of football with two sets of passionate fans who are going to be at the game. That’s what football does – it brings the fans and the nations together. We are two proud nations but the football will do the talking. Us and Argentina and Spain and France are the top four nations in the world in the rankings and we’ve all got the stage to get to the final. This is us against them and another great nation to play against. What a game it’s going to be and it’s about us beating them.”
Having been part of the England team that reached the semi-finals in the 2018 World Cup under Gareth Southgate and lost in the final of the 2021 European Championship, Pickford has yet to secure any major trophies at the club level. Nonetheless, he stated that he has not begun contemplating whether England can triumph this year.
“That is the dream but it’s all about Wednesday,” he said. “They are a very talented team and, regardless of the rivalry, I think it’s about us being at our best to try and get through a final in the World Cup, that’s what the challenge is.
“They are a very talented team and, regardless of the rivalry, I think it’s about us being at our best to try and get through a final in the World Cup, that’s what the challenge is. “In 2018, it was about connecting the nation together. Now we’re in the semi-final again, we want to put smiles on our people’s faces again.”
