Declan Rice played through “terrible pain” during England’s win over DR Congo at the men’s FIFA World Cup, but Thomas Tuchel insists it is “not an issue” and he’s not injured.
The Three Lions booked their place in the round of 16 with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the African nation in Atlanta. Harry Kane scored twice late in the second half following Brian Cipenga’s opener in the seventh minute.
Rice was taken off at the end of the match, replaced by John Stones after he was visibly struggling through the latter stages of the win.
The 27-year-old, who played over 4,000 minutes for Arsenal this season, has been dealing with nerve pain in his back this summer.
Declan Rice (12) has created more chances than any other midfielder at the World Cup 🪄 pic.twitter.com/B54EaWFMnN
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Declan Rice in ‘terrible pain’ at World Cup, Thomas Tuchel reveals
Rice is so durable and resilient that Tuchel knows it is serious when he complains about discomfort, but he expects the midfielder to be ready to go against Mexico on Sunday.
“I asked him. He said: ‘I can do it for the team but I am in terrible pain’ and when Declan tells you he is in terrible pain then you know he cannot take it anymore,” explained Tuchel.
“He was grateful we took him off but he said after the game it’s not an issue. There is no injury, I think he will recover. He was just in pain and I hope he is right. It’s more nerve pain.”
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Tuchel believes Rice can manage the pain from game to game. The German coach needs the former West Ham star available not just for the role he plays in midfield, but also because he can fill in at right-back, like he did during the latter stages of the game against Congo.
“It was probably the hardest 12 minutes of the game having a stint at right-back,” Rice said after full-time whistle.
“In games like that it was probably too much of a basketball match at times, back and forth, and we had to take the sting out of it because they have fast wingers. I think we made more hard work of it than we needed to.
“I have played there two or three times this season, I know the role, it is probably not my biggest strength, but to do anything for the team and the manager.
“[With] 12 minutes left I said I would do my best and I think I did well there. Let’s see what happens next game, but hopefully I don’t have to be at right-back.”
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