Declan Rice has called the last-16 clash against Germany the “biggest game” of his career to date as the West Ham vice-captain prepares for the Wembley showdown. Rice has been an integral member of the Hammers’ run to European football and going into Euro 2020 was seen as a vital part of Gareth Southgate’s starting XI.
Declan Rice said: “Training this week has been really tough and good — and everyone’s ready, whoever gets picked. For me, it will definitely be the biggest game of my career so far if I get the chance to play.”
For West Ham, Rice is often seen picking the ball up from defence and driving forward with it, whereas in an England shirt his role is more defensive. Rice is expected to win possession and pass it onto the attacking players to cause the damage, something the Hammer is more than happy to do.
Declan Rice said: “If I can help the team do well, then I’m happy. There’s always so much talk, and people expect so much, but I just try to keep my head down and know what I’m good at. I know that if I go out there and play to my best, then I can be one of the best players out there. It’s just about staying focused.”
Rice is full of confidence in his own ability but he says the pre-match preparations for an England match provide him with extra motivation to go out and perform to the highest standard. Rice called the atmosphere at Wembley “incredible”
Declan Rice added: “It’s just special, walking out. You feel the energy. You’re lining up, singing the national anthems and you just feel lads pulling you in tight. It’s just top notch. I sing passionately because it gives me a bit of extra energy to go out there and perform. Once that’s done and you have the team photo, that’s it then. It’s go time.”
Ahead of the clash, Rice and the England squad have been put through their paces and are ready for the challenge.
Declan Rice said: “Training has had to be tough the last couple of days because we start to come off it now, towards the game. The hard training days are done; we know what we want to do. The day before the game will be a light, fun session. Then we’ll be into the game on Tuesday.”
Rice may think of this as the biggest game of his career but the England squad is packed with players who have been involved in Champions League finals and a World Cup semi-final and this big-game experience is vital according to the Hammer.
Declan Rice said: “We’ve got players who have played in top games already in their careers, and we’ll be ready to go out there and give it absolutely everything. You know the history between England and Germany, but this isn’t just like a friendly game. This is in a major tournament. You win, you go through. You lose, you’re out.”
And in case anyone was in any doubt Rice reiterated what the Three Lions are aiming to do on Tuesday.
Declan RIce said: “We want to win. That will give us that extra boost to then push on again.”
