A number of seasons ago, Rice was playing in his first major final and helping West Ham United to Europa Conference League glory.
But now he has been a part of the Arsenal side that lost the Premier League title on the last day of the recently concluded season.
And now England were deservedly beaten by Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday in Berlin, with Mikel Oyarzabal breaking hearts late on with a well-worked goal.
Declan Rice played the entire match and he even had the chance to score towards the end, but Spain managed to clear the ball away.
After the match, the Arsenal star’s headed effort, which was saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, was discussed by the ITV Sport panel.
Host Mark Pougatch asked his panel of Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Gary Neville if Rice could and should have done better with his header.
Saturday 17th August
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It was on target and the rebound was then recycled back, including a brilliant goalline clearance from Dani Olmo.
Wright was quick to rush to Rice’s aid and made it clear that the line of questioning was ‘harsh’, with Keane agreeing by stating that ‘I won’t be too hard on him’.
Neville understood where the ITV host was coming from by questioning if Rice should have perhaps powered the header rather than ‘guide it too much’.
Declan Rice questioned after Euro 2024 final defeat
“Do you think that Declan Rice should have done better with that header from that corner?” asked host Mark Pougatch.
Ian Wright then responded: “He hit the target, Mark. You are being harsh there.” Roy Keane agreed and added: “I think you are being harsh.”
Pougatch then interrupted: “It was a question,” to which Keane replied: “I know, that’s your job. My job is to answer it.” The ITV host then laughed: “That’s my job.”
Keane defended Rice further: “I thought he done okay. He hit the target and they nearly got the rebound, so I won’t be too hard on him.”
Neville shared his thoughts: “The first header you are talking about, Mark? I thought the first one, maybe, he looks like he tries to sort of guide it a bit too much. Rather than (power it). I mean, I am not a header of a ball.”
Declan Rice of England disappointment during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin,...
Difficult tournament for Declan Rice and England
Yes, England reached the final, but the performances were beyond abject for large parts and they were lucky to get so far.
Southgate’s tactics have made it near-on impossible for players to express themselves and it just results in many of them suffering.
The former centre-back has been in charge of the national side for nearly a decade and you feel the time has now come for him to move on.
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