England have gone up a gear without Declan Rice – his place now under serious threat

England finished their recent international window with an impressive record – four matches, 14 goals and only a single point dropped. The attacking output, spread across the front line and midfield, suggested a side that has finally found a rhythm under Thomas Tuchel.

The break also marked the first spell in which Declan Rice was unavailable, the defensive midfielder having missed the fixtures through injury. While the team coped well, the stark contrast between the collective output and Rice’s absence has reignited debate about his role.

Several players stepped into the vacuum, most notably the likes of Conor Gallagher and James Maddison, who offered both defensive cover and creative thrust. Their displays have shown that the midfield can function effectively without Rice’s usual anchoring presence.

Tuchel praised the squad’s adaptability, but hinted that competition for places will intensify as England prepares for the upcoming qualifiers. The next selection could see the manager favouring those who delivered during the break, putting Rice’s starting berth under serious threat.