The England midfielder said he has been dealing with nerve pain in his hamstring since Christmas as he opened up about the toll a 63-game season takes on his body and reassured fans of his fitness with Ghana.England’s first win against Croatia was almost everything Thomas Tuchel had hoped for at the start of the World Cup. Harry Kane scored twice and Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added another as a 4-2 win in Dallas immediately boosted England’s hopes of finishing top of Group L.The only concern was that there were 18 minutes left in the game.Declan Rice, one of England’s most important players and the team’s balancing midfielder, was substituted in the 72nd minute. Given the importance of the Arsenal midfielder and the timing of the substitution, concerns were quickly raised whether England had suffered a serious injury setback after just one game.Rice has now revealed that the decision is related to an issue he has been quietly working on for more than six months.Far from being a new injury, the issue dates back to Christmas and remains largely hidden from public view even as Rice continues to play one of the busiest seasons of his career.
England fans are unaware of injury issues
After the game, Rice explained that he had been dealing with nerve pain in his hamstring since midway through Arsenal’s domestic campaign.“I think it’s a smart decision,” Rice told ITV Sport.“I had a bit of nerve pain in my hamstring and I spent a long time at Arsenal after Christmas.“Obviously, not many people know that. It’s all behind the scenes.”The issue affects the upper hamstring area, with pain spreading to his lower back, but Rice made it clear that England’s medical staff and coaching staff view the substitution as a precautionary measure rather than a response to a serious setback.The midfielder believes timing is particularly important as the final stages of a match are often when accumulated fatigue puts the greatest strain on the body.“But it was a wise decision,” he said.“In the end, the last 20 minutes is probably where you gain the most and where you play a 70-minute game, but the last 20 minutes is where you really feel what your body is going through.”
a season that rarely stops
Rice’s comments also provide insight into the extraordinary demands placed on elite players in the modern football schedule.England’s World Cup opener against Croatia is his 63rd game of the 2025-26 season.55 of those games came as Arsenal enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in recent history, winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final. Rice subsequently made eight more appearances for England before and during the World Cup.The accumulated workload leaves little room for recovery.Looking back at the schedule, Rice called the demands relentless.“The number of games is insane,” he said.“The schedule is crazy, but what can we do? You can’t sit back and complain.“We have to keep working like I did in the Premier League and win the Premier League.“You know you’re going to play as many games as possible to experience that feeling again and know there’s a World Cup at the end.“You know you’re risking your life forever to play. It’s a lot of games, but we’ll get a break at the end.”The comments highlight why England are unwilling to take unnecessary risks against Croatia, especially with two games to go in the group stage.
Rice eases Ghana’s previous concerns
The substitution immediately raised questions about Rice’s availability for England’s second Group L game against Ghana.However, the midfielder moved quickly to reassure supporters that he was still fully available and wanted to be involved.“I’m ready, I’m healthy and eager to go,” he said.“I think it was a smart decision because I’ve been feeling really, really good the past few days.”England know beating Ghana will put them in pole position to secure a place in the knockout stages, making Rice’s introduction all the more important.The midfielder has become one of the team’s most influential players, providing defensive cover while also helping England progress the ball through the midfield.
Managing Bukayo Saka’s recovery
Rice also spoke about the fitness of his Arsenal and England team-mate Bukayo Saka.Saka missed the start against Croatia as he is still dealing with a long-standing Achilles problem that has required careful monitoring in recent months.The winger did not train with the main group on Saturday, instead following a personal plan designed to manage his workload and ensure he remains available late in games.Although Saka is not expected to start against Ghana, Rice believes England have handled the situation correctly and is confident Saka will play a big role during the World Cup.Asked if Saka would still play a major role, Rice said: “100 percent.”“The way we managed him was really good.“I’ve seen him at Arsenal with a little problem with his Achilles tendon from the amount of times he’s played. We’re definitely going to manage him in the right way.”Saka showed his quality despite only coming on as a substitute against Croatia and created a goal for Rashford in the second half.
England balance ambition and fitness
England’s preparations for the World Cup include a heat acclimatization camp in Florida, with Tuchel and his staff placing great emphasis on ensuring the squad can cope with the conditions they are likely to face across North America.While the match against Croatia is being played at an air-conditioned stadium in Dallas with temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius, England expect conditions to be more demanding later in the game.Rice said Tuchel assured his players that the team had the physical attributes needed to maintain an aggressive style regardless of the weather.“The heat will determine [our playing style] In a spell,” Rice explained.“But the manager is very clear with us and this team that we have the quality and the ability to outperform and beat other teams with the quality we have.”At present, England’s top priority remains Ghana and ensuring early promotion from Group L. Rice’s revelations provide a clearer explanation for the concerns surrounding his substitution against Croatia, while also highlighting the physical realities behind a season that has been stretched to 63 games.In encouraging news for England, the midfielder, who has quietly shouldered the burden since Christmas, insists he is fit, available and ready to continue.
