RIO FERDINAND reckons Declan Rice is England’s most important player, despite admitting the Arsenal star gets a “bad rap” from fans.
Rice, 25, has played every minute of the Three Lions’ Euros campaign.
And he will be tasked with keeping Spain’s attackers at bay in tomorrow’s historic final.
Despite being an ever-present figure in Gareth Southgate’s side, 57-cap Rice has come under fire from some supporters this summer.
A few fans believe he has not been as effective as he is for Arsenal.
But that hasn’t stopped former England star Ferdinand from branding Rice the most important man in Southgate’s team.
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He reckons the maligned midfielder gets criticised as he is lumped with doing all of England’s unglamorous work on the field.
And Ferdinand has told critics to suggest a better replacement, as he believes there is nobody capable of fulfilling Rice’s role with the same effectiveness.
He told The Rest is Football: “Declan’s been solid. He gets a bad rap, I think. ‘He doesn’t play this, doesn’t play that’.
“But without him, I don’t know what we do. Who plays that role in this squad? In terms of importance.”
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Ferdinand also took time to hail Rice’s new midfield partner Kobbie Mainoo, who has not put a foot wrong since displacing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher as England’s new No8.
Ferdinand noted: “We’ve gone out for England in a tournament. The pressure is crazy.
“He’s playing like it’s normal to him, it’s phenomenal. He’s a beautiful player to watch.
“he always does something in the game where not many people can do that. Not many can be composed in those areas under pressure.”
Ferdinand ended by also praising Phil Foden and Marc Guehi, adding: “Foden’s grown into it and showing glimpses of what we see at Man City.
“Guehi’s been the most consistent, he’s been ridiculous.”
England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
