Declan Rice is one of the first names on the club and national team rosters because he is one of those players who makes everything else make sense.
Things simply don’t work as well without Rice on the team. Declan Rice joined Chelsea’s academy at the age of seven, dreaming of making it to the first team of the club he had grown up supporting.
Seven years later, he was released. Rice was intelligent and determined, but he was physically behind his peers. He was crushed, but his talent had already caught the attention of other clubs, and West Ham stepped in right away, inviting him in for a trial the same week.
Rice thrived at West Ham’s academy. He was still small and struggled to influence games due to his lack of physicality, but the coaches around him weren’t too concerned. Rice made rapid progress due to a late growth spurt and was awarded his first professional contract at the age of 16.
Rice quickly established himself as a key player for West Ham, appearing in 50 games while still a teenager. Three weeks before his 21st birthday, he was given the captain’s armband for the first time, a role that appeared to be his, and one that he was given permanently after Mark Noble’s retirement in 2022.
His greatest moment in a West Ham shirt was leading the team to their first European trophy since 1965, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League final in 2023, defeating Fiorentina in Prague, prior to his big move to Arsenal.
His decision-making, incisive passing, ability to cover all areas of the pitch relentlessly for 90 minutes, and set-piece delivery combine with the personality and temperament of a natural leader—someone who earns respect simply by being themselves—to produce one of the world’s best midfielders. Away from the pitch, he’s refreshingly open about letting fans see the real Rice, whether it’s videos of him dancing to dancehall on TikTok or rapping along to his favourite songs.
Rice was born in London but qualified to play for the Republic of Ireland national football team through his grandparents. He represented Ireland at every youth level before making three senior appearances in friendly matches in 2018 under Martin O’Neill.
Because these were friendly games rather than competitive matches, FIFA rules allowed him to switch his international allegiance later. Declan Rice made his England debut on March 22, 2019, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against the Czech Republic football team.
He quickly became England’s first-choice holding midfielder under Gareth Southgate. His abilities—winning the ball, shielding the defense, carrying possession forward, and controlling the tempo—made him nearly unstoppable. He has been an ever present for England in multiple tournaments since his debut. Rice was in the squads for Euro 2020, 2022 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2024 and of course, the ongoing 2026 World Cup.
He has won 75 caps for England since 2019, with seven goals.Rice has progressed from a promising defensive midfielder to one of England’s most accomplished players. His ability to break up attacks, drive through midfield, and provide leadership has earned him one of the first names on the team roster.
At the age of 27, he is already regarded as one of the world’s best central midfielders, and he played an important role in England’s pursuit of its first major trophy in 60 years.
