DECLAN RICE has revealed his unlikely source of inspiration to win the Euros – FaceTime chats with James Corden.
And he adds the chat show host has tried helping him grasp just how huge an impact the tournament is having on the lives of England fans everywhere.
West Ham star Rice is playing a crucial role in England’s charge towards Sunday’s final at Wembley.
The anchorman has forged a formidable midfield partnership with Leeds ace Kalvin Phillips.
And Gareth Southgate has used their steel to provide a platform for attackers like Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling to shine.
Rice will be called into action once again for Wednesday’s crunch semi-final against Denmark.
And he’s revealed how regular chats on FaceTime with comedian and Hammers fan Corden have tried to help him understand just how seriously England fans are taking the tournament.
Rice told the Official England Podcast: “Since the Scotland game I speak to James Corden quite a bit, we FaceTime each other.
“He was with Mark Noble at the Germany game so I spoke to them after and they were buzzing.
“There are people who don’t even like football or don’t sit down and watch it, and now it is a ritual to lock in and watch the games in this tournament.
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“James Corden said to me, ‘do you actually understand what you are doing?’ and I don’t really.
“It has not hit me yet and even when the tournament has finished it probably won’t hit me until my career finishes.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves but we know what is ahead of us and hopefully we can achieve a massive dream.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk