Declan Rice was substituted at half-time of England’s World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, and the midfielder is said to have yet to recover from the illness that forced his early withdrawal as the Three Lions prepare to face Argentina in the quarter-finals.
BBC Sport Arsenal star Rice is still dealing with the effects of the illness that ended his participation in the heat in Miami as England needed extra time to beat Norway 2-1, it was reported on Monday. As a result, England will make a late decision on whether or not to start against Argentina.
There is said to be optimism that Rice will be ready to face the defending champions as England prepares to face Argentina for the first time since a friendly match in 2005.
But the lingering doubts surrounding Price leave Thomas Tuchel with a potential headache in midfield.
Rice’s recovery is crucial amid England’s lack of alternatives
Rice’s partnership with Elliot Anderson is cemented in midfield, and options outside of that duo are not many.
Right-back Reece James came on for Rice against Norway, with Tuchel making the most of the Chelsea captain’s versatility in being able to operate in the engine room.
However, James has missed the previous three matches with a hamstring injury and has looked far from the pace of matches he had during the tournament.
With Jordan Henderson sidelined due to the bizarre wrist injury he suffered during the celebrations of England’s round of 16 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, the only other player available to Tuchel is Manchester United’s Kobe Maino.
Maino enjoyed a fantastic 2025-26 season at Old Trafford as Michael Carrick revitalized his career, but he did not play a single minute in the World Cup.
Given the scale of the occasion and the scale of the challenge facing England against Lionel Messi and company, it is unlikely that Tuchel will be willing to give Maino the chance to start.
Given his familiarity with team-mate Enzo Fernandes, James appears to be the choice if Rice is not fit enough to start for Atalanta. However, given James’ performance and the physical condition of Ezri Konsa, who has a hamstring problem after starting at right-back against Norway, this choice carries risks.
Rice has battled a hamstring injury to help get England to this point. Although there are viable alternatives, it seems important to England’s hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 that he shakes off the illness and takes his place alongside Anderson in midfield to resume the fierce competition.
