Declan Rice has opted to represent England at an international level, and now it is being reported that Gareth Southgate will bring him straight into the national side, and fans have been reacting on social media to the idea.
It ultimately won’t be entirely down to Southgate for Rice to earn an immediate England cap, as the defensive midfielder still needs FIFA clearance to change his registration, but the Three Lions boss is hopeful it can be done before they kick off qualification for Euro 2020 at the end of March.
It’s said that the England boss has been hugely impressed by Rice’s performances in East London and consider the 20-year-old to be good enough for a full international role, and rightly so.
Rice has been phenomenal at the London Stadium under Manuel Pellegrini and completed his shift from central defence to midfield with ease, and the side would have a far worse identity without his input from its core.
However, while Rice may have made the decision he feels right for himself and some fans think he deserves a shot with the Three Lions, not every West Ham supporter is delighted with the choice as they fear he will be just another Hammer to get injured on international duty…
Give him a cap to tie him in. Then pick him for U21s for a bit. Then recognise he’s not good enough and quietly forget about him….
— Jill Lewis (@jilllewis33) February 14, 2019
That’s him injured then!
— AlexCope (@Acope95) February 14, 2019
Agreed , every time one of our players even joins the squad they pick up an injury ! ⚒
— Stephen (@arrymonk64) February 14, 2019
I really hope so. He so deserves this
— Julie trudgill (@julie_trudgill) February 14, 2019
When you’re salty because Declan Rice just ended Eric Dier’s international career. https://t.co/Tf6MetZIe5
— ☘️Irish Tommy 5280 ⚒️ (@tomster36) February 14, 2019
You can’t honestly believe Henderson and Eric Dier are better than Declan Rice. Even if you hate West Ham that’s a stupid thing to say. ????????♂️ https://t.co/K1oqz2KfMi
— Lee Speed ⚒ (@Speedy_Says) February 14, 2019
Declan rice walks into that England team, if you think dier or Henderson is a better player in that holding role you’re absolutely deluded ????????♂️????
— John Richardson (@johnnyrich0787) February 14, 2019
The fact that anyone selected the other two is baffling.
— IronsmanJP (@IronsManJP) February 14, 2019