Declan Rice praised midfield partner Kobbie Mainoo’s confidence, calmness and leadership in helping England to reach the final of Euro 2024.
Rice and Mainoo have started each of England’s three knockout games together in midfield and are expected to do so once again when the Three Lions take on Spain in the final on Sunday.
19-year-old Mainoo began the tournament on the bench before forcing his way into Gareth Southgate’s starting 11 and Rice believes their midfield partnership can help England to win a first European Championship.
He said: “You can just see. You speak to him and just feel his calm presence that he has and what I like about him is that he is not scared to say it how it is.
“There was something towards the end [against the Netherlands] when he gave me a pass between the lines and I got sold short for it.
“We had to sprint back and we had bit at each other – but that is good because you need that relationship. At 19, I can’t imagine many saying that to older players and that’s what I love about him.
“That is what the lads love about him as well. He gets that respect, he has that leadership and the way he takes the ball and is comfortable.
“The conversations we’ve been having daily with each other and on the training pitch have brought us together and we have become a nice partnership.”
Rice has started every one of England’s games at Euro 2024 and admits that while he was not at his best earlier on the tournament, the Arsenal man is confident he can be at his best in the final.
“In the first couple of games I was feeling more tired than I am now,” he said.
“The adrenaline kicks in more as the games ramp up. You get that extra bit of energy, extra bit of fire. On Sunday, all of us will run through brick walls, do anything to win this game. Whether that’s in 90 minutes, 120, we’ll give it absolutely everything. That’s all we can ask of each other.”
FEATURED IMAGE: STU FORSTER/GETTY IMAGES VIA ONE FOOTBALL
