Rice admits 'average' World Cup by his standards as England target Nations League glory in Madrid

Declan Rice has conceded that he delivered an “average World Cup” by his own standards, pointing to the physical toll of a 69-game season with Arsenal as the root cause of his below-par showings at the tournament.

The 27-year-old midfielder, who helped Arsenal claim the Premier League title before the World Cup, arrived at the tournament carrying fatigue rather than form. England reached the semi-finals, but Rice was candid about the gap between what he produced and what he knows he is capable of.

“I think by my standards it was an average World Cup,” Rice said. “Some games I played well — France was probably my best game, DR Congo I played really well — but some of the other games I didn’t play too well. A 69-game season at the end of a title-winning season, a Champions League loss into a World Cup. It’s annoying because at the World Cup you want to be totally at your best, you want to be fresh, you want to be ready.”

Rice was quick to stress that a lack of effort was never the issue. “Knowing I’m not going to be at my best, you give 100 percent for the badge. I loved it, I enjoyed it,” he added. “But that’s football. I’m now at an age where I’ve realised sometimes you’re going to play well, sometimes you’re not.”

The midfielder also missed England’s camp last month and the first meeting with Spain after manager Thomas Tuchel agreed he should sit it out for rest and recovery. Rice described the arrangement as the product of an honest conversation with his coach.

“I still feel like I am building up to being 100 per cent,” Rice said. “But I feel like I am closer to that than what I was a few weeks ago, for sure. In coming up to 82 caps, I’ve probably missed three camps in my time with England over an eight, nine-year period. I know the importance of showing up, being available.”

Rice drew a parallel with captain Harry Kane in underlining how much representing England means to him. “Playing for England is one of the biggest things. You never know when that’s going to end, so every time you’re here you cannot take that for granted.”

England face Spain in Madrid on Sunday in what is a Nations League decider, with Rice expected to start and looking to demonstrate the form that made him one of the standout players in the Premier League last season.