Declan Rice has said he would be happy to step into England’s defense under Gareth Southgate if called up, although he thinks the suggestion is completely “weird”.
The West Ham star laughed off the claims and insisted that ‘my best position is in midfield’ ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
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Tony Cascarino thinks Declan Rice would be perfect in a back four for England under Gareth Southgate
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Rice said he would be happy to play defense if needed but would prefer to stay in midfield
Fans and pundits are already debating what formation Southgate could choose in Qatar this winter, with talkSPORT’s Cascarino suggesting he should play a back-four – including Rice.
Cascarino said: “I’ve been talking about this for ages, and I’m going to drive people crazy about it – the best way for England to play is a four [at the back].
“And I really think the best person to play in a four, because he’s so fast, is Declan Rice at the heart of the England defence. Absolute centre-half.
“Declan could play this position blindfolded. He is a natural defender.
Rice, who started his career as a centre-half, was quick to offer his thoughts, however.
The Hammers skipper told talkSPORT in an exclusive interview: “I hear weird stuff sometimes, that was a weird comment.
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Rice joked that he only listens to talkSPORT when he’s stuck in traffic
“Listen, if I were to come back as a centre-back in a back-three, of course I would be doing a job for the team.
“But my best position is in midfield. I don’t want to be at the back because I feel like then I won’t be able to show all my qualities which I can do on a football pitch like I do in midfield.
“But if I had to go to a back-three for one circumstance, I would happily do it.”
Rice went on to explain that he was an avid listener to talkSPORT, but now only does it when he’s stuck in traffic.
If your driving experiences in London are anything like ours, Declan, that makes you a regular listener to our book!
He said: “I used to go back to the beginning of my career, but I try not to listen to it anymore. It’s nothing against talkSPORT!
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Rice spoke to talkSPORT in an exclusive interview ahead of West Ham’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth
“I see comments and clips all the time, I’m just trying to really focus on my football and if I ever get stuck in traffic I’ll stick to it.”
Rice then joked about how Simon Jordan recently came to pick him up on air after the midfielder spoke of West Ham’s game accumulation after playing 68 games in a year, when in fact it was Ally McCoist who told him to “carry on”.
He said: “I see one of your talkSPORT members, Simon Jordan, picking me up!”
On his out-of-context comments, he added: “I think Sky Sports cut a clip and rephrased the whole sentence.
“I wasn’t moaning at all actually, I wasn’t complaining at all, I was actually buzzing about having played 68 games and looking for ways to play more games.”
With the midfielder one of the top names on the team sheet for both club and country, it looks like he will get his wish.
Tune in to talkSPORT for LIVE and EXCLUSIVE commentary from West Ham v Bournemouth in the Premier League, Monday 24 October, kick off: 8pm
