he told ITV Sport.
Rice commented.
Declan Rice has revealed that he has been dealing with nerve pain in his hamstring since Christmas while reflecting on the demanding number of matches he has played this season.
The England midfielder caused some concern when he exited the pitch in the 72nd minute during the 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia last Wednesday. The issue originates from the upper hamstring, resulting in discomfort that extends to his lower back. Nevertheless, Rice described his substitution as a “I’m ready and fit, raring to go,” choice, assuring fans he would be fully fit for England’s next group match against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.
“I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time. Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that. It was all behind-the-scenes stuff but it was a smart decision. “In the end, that last 20 minutes is probably where you pick up the most, and it’s where you play a 70‑minute match. But that last 20 is where you really feel your body going for it. And I think it was a smart decision because the last few days I felt really, really good.”
“I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal for a very long time. Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that. It was all behind-the-scenes stuff but it was a smart decision.
“It’s an obscene amount of games,”
This season, Rice has participated in 63 matches, with 55 for Arsenal and eight for England. His club has reached the finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, suffering defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, while also securing the Premier League title.
“The schedule was crazy but what can we do about it? You can’t sit and complain. We have to just get on with it for the moments like I had in the Premier League, winning that Premier League. You know you’d play as many games as possible to have that feeling again and knowing that there’s a World Cup at the end of it as well. You know you’d put your body on the line to be always in to play. It’s a lot of games but we’ll get our break at the end.” Rice noted. “The heat’s going to dictate [our playing style] in spells but the manager’s been really clear with us and with this squad that we have the strength and power to outrun and outplay teams with our strength,”
England began a hot-weather acclimatization camp in Florida at the start of June, recognizing that the heat and humidity in North America present significant challenges. The match against Croatia occurred in an air-conditioned stadium in Dallas, where temperatures were kept at 22°C. Fortunately, similar conditions are expected in Boston for the 4pm local kick-off (9pm BST).
It is anticipated that England will encounter much warmer conditions in their upcoming matches. However, Rice mentioned that the players have been reassured by Thomas Tuchel that they have the fitness to cope with the heat.
“Bukayo will impact this tournament,”
He also addressed worries surrounding the fitness of Bukayo Saka, his teammate at both Arsenal and the national team. Saka has been suffering from an Achilles issue and was only able to come on as a substitute in the 72nd minute against Croatia. Despite this, he made a notable contribution by assisting the fourth goal for another substitute, Marcus Rashford. Saka has been on an individualized training plan and is not expected to start against Ghana, with Noni Madueke likely to maintain his position on the right wing.
“It’s really good the way we’re managing him. I think the amount of football he’s played – I’ve seen him at Arsenal – this little achilles problem he’s got. I think we’re managing him the right way, for sure. “I don’t think you want to put him in straight away and put him at risk. We need to keep building him in. He’s been training really well. He came on and had an amazing impact the other night. He’s one of the biggest game players I’ve played with and he wants to play every game. But here he’s being smart. And we also have Noni who, for me, has been unbelievable.” Rice asserted. “It’s really good the way we’re managing him. I think the amount of football he’s played – I’ve seen him at Arsenal – this little Achilles problem he’s got. I think we’re managing him the right way, for sure.
“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,”
William Saliba is another Arsenal player facing discomfort as he aims for World Cup success. The French center-back has also been playing through pain this season.
“I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well. The World Cup comes round only once every four years so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100% but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100% either – you can’t make excuses.” he shared ahead of Monday’s match against Iraq. “I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well. The World Cup comes round only once every four years so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100% but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100% either – you can’t make excuses.”
