Declan Rice has been named in England’s final 23-man squad for the UEFA Nations League finals.
And he is now very much in line to claim a place for the Three Lions’ semi-final with the Netherlands and potential final with either Switzerland or host nation Portugal in June.
Commenting on the selection Declan said: “I am honoured to have been called up by England for a competition as important as the Nations League and, to be honest, I can’t wait to meet up with the lads and get cracking!”
“I really enjoyed my first experience of being in and around an England squad and working with Gareth and his staff, so to have kept my place for these matches is really special.
“It has been far too long since England won a trophy so, although it won’t be easy against teams as good as Holland, Switzerland and Portugal, we’ll go out there and do our best and I think we’ve got a great chance of winning the tournament.”
England, who reached the last four after topping a group that also included Spain and FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia, take on Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands in the semi-finals at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques in Guimaraes on Thursday 6 June.
Should they win, they will face Switzerland or Portugal at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto on Sunday 9 June. A defeat would mean a third/fourth-place play-off in Guimaraes on the same day.
West Ham United would like to wish Declan and England every success as they go for UEFA Nations League glory.
ClaretandHugh says: Declan’s inclusion in the final 23 is absolutely no surprise to anybody but it does act as a reminder of the incredible progress the academy-produced midfielder has made over the last couple of years.From being subbed at Newcastle under Slaven Bilic to what most believe him now to be – a £70 million star – is one of the biggest success stories anywhere in football over recent years. Now he stands on the brink of gaining an England winner’s medal and becoming part of an exclusive group of players who has not managed that since 1966. We are counting no chickens but that is the absolute reality for this young man of whom we are all immensely proud. He has long been compared to Bobby Moore and to gain such an honour so soon in his career would put him up there among those who entered the England hall of fame. The Nations League Cup may not quite be the Wrold Cup but it would be an amazing start for the young man.