Declan Rice
ArsenalCM
Box-to-Box
Jan 14, 1999 (27)
Right
6'2"
185 lb
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Injury seems minor, will be assessed
Rice limped out of Boston Stadium following England's goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday with heavy strapping on his left calf, though early indications suggest the issue is not serious, and he will be assessed ahead of Saturday's clash with Panama , according to Sami Mokbel of BBC.
Analysis: Rice limped out of Boston Stadium after the Ghana draw with his left calf wrapped in heavy strapping and the image alone was enough to set alarm bells ringing in the England camp. While the early signs are not believed to point to anything serious the injury adds another layer of concern for a player who was already being managed through nerve pain in his hamstring having been substituted in the Croatia game. Thomas Tuchel and his staff now face the difficult task of weighing up whether to risk him against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday or protect him with the knockout rounds in mind. That decision carries enormous weight given Rice's role as the engine of England's midfield and the fact that no straightforward replacement exists for what he provides.
Ends game in discomfort
Rice had three shots (zero on goal), 12 crosses (three accurate), six chances created and nine corners in Tuesday's 0-0 draw versus Ghana. After the game, he was seen limping with his left calf strapped, per David Ornstein of The Athletic.
Analysis: Rice's set-piece activity allowed him to generate significant playmaking production, which was more than enough to make up for the yellow card he received during the draw. However, the holding midfielder was denied an assist this time after setting up one goal in the World Cup opener versus Croatia. He appeared to be dealing with a physical issue at the end of the match, but the severity of the potential injury is unknown. His eventual absence would be a massive blow to the Three Lions' midfield, considering that he's their primary set piece taker, and his average of 5.0 chances created per game is the highest figure among all players in the competition. All of Nico O'Reilly, Eberechi Eze, and perhaps Kobbie Mainoo could see increased action if Rice is forced to miss time due to the issue.
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