Eze gives Rice injury update – should he play vs Panama?

Eberechi Eze believes Declan Rice is fine and wants to play every game, but do England have the perfect chance to rest him against Panama?

Amid Declan Rice’s most recent injury concerns, Arsenal and England teammate Eberechi Eze has spoken to the media, insisting the midfielder is alright and always wants to play every match.

“[Rice] wants to play football, he wants to play every game,” Eze said. “He’ll do whatever he can to help the team. I don’t see him playing as if he’s carrying anything.

“You see him enjoying himself and having fun. So I’m sure he’s okay.”

Yet results on Friday night have guaranteed that England will progress to the last-32 of the World Cup, even if they lose heavily to eliminated Panama in their final group game on Saturday.

The only thing left to play for is winning the group, but with other groups containing England’s potential last-32 opponents yet to conclude, it’s hard for England to know whether that would even be a good thing or not.

Taking any risks with Rice on Saturday night feels unnecessary, particularly given the player’s yellow card against Ghana in the last game. Another yellow against Panama would see the midfielder suspended for the last-32.

England should be able to get a win against a Panama team without a goal or a point at this tournament, whether Rice plays or not. And it’s far from a must-win game anyway.

The same cannot be said for the upcoming last-32 game, which will be ‘win or go home’ against superior opposition.

England won’t get any chances after Saturday night to rest their starters, and it’s clear Rice needs a rest. But it’s ultimately Thomas Tuchel’s call whether he gets one.

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