Declan’s brilliant tournament – England captain next?

By Hughie Southon

England may have crashed out of the World Cup but one player who can take immense pride from the tournament is Declan Rice.

From Match One he was on the case and looks more and more like a future England captain as he progresses through the game.

England – Harry Kane’s missed penalty aside – can probably count themselves unfortunate to lose a game when they and the French looked not a million miles apart in terms of quality and craft.

Declan, at the heart of midfield was again outstanding, breaking up opposition attacks and getting things moving.

He was roundly applauded by the media sources in their rating and both the Telegraph and Guardian gave him eight out of ten with the former ‘paper declaring he put in a brilliant performance.

Every Hammer will be incredibly proud of a young man who has emerged from the academy to world stardom and wherever he may go next will always be seen as one of our own.

Well done Dec – brilliant stuff.

But for that missed spot kick who knows where you might be this morning.