DECLAN RICE has been promoted to Gareth Southgate’s senior leadership group within the England camp, according to reports.
The Arsenal star debuted for the Three Lions in 2019 and has become a key man ever since.
Since Southgate’s arrival as boss he has had a leadership committee of players beneath him.
It currently features the likes of Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson.
While Raheem Sterling, Eric Dier and Conor Coady have all been involved in previous squads.
According to the Mail, Rice has been added to the group.
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The 24-year-old earned his 48th England cap by appearing against North Macedonia earlier this week.
Rice almost always starts for the Three Lions in competitive matches and played all but 32 minutes of their World Cup campaign last year.
He is now viewed as a senior figure off the pitch too.
And his impressive club form hasn’t hurt his status either.
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The midfielder joined Arsenal in a £105million deal from West Ham in the summer.
He has appeared 18 times for the Gunners thus far, with Arsenal sitting third in the Premier League.
Another player rapidly rising through England’s leadership ranks is Jude Bellingham.
Despite being just 20, the Real Madrid star has already shown incredible signs of leadership.
Last month former England star Joe Cole compared Bellingham’s leadership skills with those Of Lionel Messi.
Appearing as a pundit on Channel 4’s Three Lions coverage, Cole said: “I wont compare him to Messi but when Messi led Argentina to World Cup, he can be that type of leader, Messi at 20 wasn’t that mature.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
