‘He’s the right one to take over’: Wayne Rooney earmarks Declan Rice as next England captain

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Declan Rice England captain Arsenal's Declan Rice reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Wolves in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Pelham)

Former England forward had high praises for Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, earmarking him as the next England captain once the current skipper Harry Kane hangs up his boots. Rice has been instrumental in helping Arsenal stay atop the premier League table heading into the new year.

“For me, he’s the one who’s probably waiting for Harry (Kane) to hang up his boots at some point. He’s the right one to take over (Kane) for me, because of his drive, his personality. Everyone seems to love him, who knows him, who’s close to him. He’s irreplaceable for England,” Rooney said in a BBC video.

“He was all over the pitch. His decision-making — when to pass it, where to pass it, what foot to pass it to, his detail on his pass — it was a pleasure to watch. He was absolutely incredible. He was splitting centre-backs, taking the ball off Arsenal’s centre-backs, acting as a third centre-back, then next minute he’s in the box, trying to score a goal. Sometimes, some of the stuff he does is a bit underrated,” he added.

"Declan Rice is incredible. For me, he's the next England captain." pic.twitter.com/iJdheHd10B

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 22, 2025

Rice has been in top form this season, scoring 2 goals and notching up 6 assists in all competitions. His marshalling of the midfield has led to Arsenal ending the year as the top team in the Champions League table as well as the league.

In the Gunners’ last match, they came away with a 1-0 victory at Everton, secured by Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty. Because of that, Arsenal are set to spend December 25 in first place for the fifth time since the Premier League was formed in 1992.

On none of the four occasions so far did Arsenal go on to win the title. History isn’t the only thing the Gunners are fighting.

City is the closest challenger, just two points behind in second, and continued its strong recent form by sweeping aside West Ham 3-0. Haaland scored in each half to move to 19 goals in 17 matches in this campaign — in doing so passing Cristiano Ronaldo on the Premier League’s all-time scoring list — and also set up Tijjani Reijnders for the other goal.

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