Declan Rice has revealed that he has been managing nerve pain in his hamstring since Christmas, reflecting on the intense number of matches he has played this season.
The England midfielder raised concerns when he left the pitch in the 72nd minute during the 4-2 World Cup victory against Croatia last Wednesday. This issue relates to his upper hamstring, causing discomfort that extends to his lower back. Nevertheless, Rice described his substitution as a “I’m ready and fit, raring to go,” decision, expressing optimism about his fitness for England’s upcoming group match against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.
“I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time. Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that. It was all behind-the-scenes stuff but it was a smart decision. “In the end, that last 20 minutes is probably where you pick up the most, and it’s where you play a 70-minute match. But that last 20 is where you really feel your body going for it. And I think it was a smart decision because the last few days I felt really, really good.” he told ITV Sport. “I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time. Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that. It was all behind-the-scenes stuff but it was a smart decision.
“It’s an obscene amount of games,”
This season, Rice has participated in a remarkable 63 matches, including 55 for Arsenal and eight for the national team. His club has reached the finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, ultimately being defeated by Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, while securing the Premier League title.
“The schedule was crazy but what can we do about it? You can’t sit and complain. We have to just get on with it for the moments like I had in the Premier League, winning that Premier League. You know you’d play as many games as possible to have that feeling again and knowing that there’s a World Cup at the end of it as well. You know you’d put your body on the line to be always in to play. It’s a lot of games but we’ll get our break at the end.” Rice remarked. “The heat’s going to dictate [our playing style] in spells but the manager’s been really clear with us and with this squad that we have the strength and power to outrun and outplay teams with our strength,”
Beginning in early June, England has been engaged in a hot-weather acclimatization camp in Florida, fully aware that the heat and humidity in North America will present significant challenges. The match against Croatia occurred in a climate-controlled stadium in Dallas, maintaining a temperature of 22°C. Fortunately, similar conditions are anticipated for the local 4 PM kick-off (9 PM BST) at Boston’s open-air stadium. However, Rice indicated that the team will likely encounter much hotter weather in later matches, but they have been assured by manager Thomas Tuchel of their physical preparedness to handle it.
“Bukayo will impact this tournament,” Rice stated.
Rice also addressed the fitness concerns surrounding Bukayo Saka, his teammate at both Arsenal and the national team. Saka has been dealing with an Achilles issue for some time, only being fit enough to come on as a substitute in the 72nd minute against Croatia, but he made a notable impact by assisting the fourth goal scored by fellow substitute Marcus Rashford. After participating in an individual training program on Saturday, Saka is not expected to start against Ghana, with Noni Madueke likely to continue on the right wing.
“It’s really good the way we’re managing him. I think the amount of football he’s played – I’ve seen him at Arsenal – this little achilles problem he’s got. I think we’re managing him the right way, for sure. “I don’t think you want to put him in straight away and put him at risk. We need to keep building him in. He’s been training really well. He came on and had an amazing impact the other night. He’s one of the biggest game players I’ve played with and he wants to play every game. But here he’s being smart. And we also have Noni who, for me, has been unbelievable.” Rice assured. “It’s really good the way we’re managing him. I think the amount of football he’s played – I’ve seen him at Arsenal – this little Achilles problem he’s got. I think we’re managing him the right way, for sure.
“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,”
William Saliba, another Arsenal player, has also been enduring discomfort this season as he strives for World Cup success.
“I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well. The World Cup comes round only once every four years so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100% but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100% either – you can’t make excuses.” he mentioned ahead of Monday’s match against Iraq. “I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well. The World Cup comes round only once every four years so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100% but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100% either – you can’t make excuses.”
