Declan Rice admits he was left ‘speechless’ after Gareth Southgate appointed him as England captain for Belgium clash… as Arsenal star insists he’s proud to be the leader of the pack

It was during a card game of ‘Wolf’ on Sunday night that Gareth Southgate sauntered over to sit next to Declan Rice. First, England’s manager told him he would be doing the next day’s media duties at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground. Then, he explained why.

It was because Southgate had decided Rice was ready to become England’s newest captain for Tuesday’s friendly with Belgium at Wembley Stadium, a match in which he will win his 50th cap to cement himself as this country’s fifth-youngest half-centurion at 25.

‘We had an awkward stare at each other,’ Rice said yesterday, sitting down with the national newspaper reporters at Hotspur Way. ‘I was speechless. I stood up, shook his hand, gave him a hug and said “thank you so much”. Since I’ve come into the side, he’s put his trust and belief in me. To now win 50 caps and captain the side, I’m speechless.’

Rice was certainly earnest on a variety of subjects yesterday. Some serious, such as how he will plead with Ben White to end his England exile upon his return to Arsenal. ‘When I get back I can have a conversation with him,’ Rice said. ‘I would love him to come. I think Bukayo (Saka) would. I think Aaron Ramsdale would. We’re all going to be on him when we get back. Hopefully, he can change his mind.’

Declan Rice has revealed that he was left ‘speechless’ after receiving the England captaincy

Gareth Southgate and Rice stand arm-in-arm prior to their press conference on Monday

Others amusing, such as how John Stones did not know that Manchester City face Arsenal in the Premier League this Sunday. ‘I said “big game next” and John said “who are you playing?” and I said “We’ve got you!” We know what a big game it is going to be, a potential title-decider. We’ve got to go to the Etihad, which is going to be really tough, but if you want to get past that barrier of Arsenal being labelled stuff, you have to go there and win.’

But it was on the topic of captaining his country where Rice showed his heart. It is not an honour that is lost on this terrifically talented midfielder as he highlighted what Tuesday will mean for him, as a former West Ham captain following in the footsteps of Bobby Moore with the added bonus of overtaking Sir Geoff Hurst’s total of 49 caps.

‘Having 10 years at West Ham shaped me into the person I am today,’ Rice said, adding that Mark Noble is set to attend Tuesday’s friendly to share in his achievement.

‘When I got to captain West Ham, I was growing in confidence and as a leader. I still see myself going that way. There is Martin Odegaard at my club. I’m not thinking about it, but if anything were to ever happen to him, I really would love to put the armband on for Arsenal.

‘Fifty caps is a “pinch me” moment. I’ve grown so much as a player and a person since I first came into the group at 19. I was probably a nervous player when I first came into the England squad. But I think I’ve grown into it. I’ve enjoyed every single moment.

‘The other night, we looked at the caps and the people I’ve surpassed already. Hopefully I’ll keep going up. To me, it still doesn’t feel real. To me, I’m still Dec, just a normal guy. I’m playing for England, playing for Arsenal, and I’m achieving dreams.’

The Arsenal star will mark his 50th England appearance by wearing the captain’s armband

Only Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford reached 50 caps faster than Rice

Only Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford reached 50 caps faster than Rice. It was in a 5-0 win over the Czech Republic in March 2019 that he secured his first as he said: ‘It’s crazy. I don’t know where the time has gone!’

Rice said the best approach to being captain is to ‘just be yourself’ but there is one aspect of his role that is unsettling him – the pre-match team talk.

‘That’s the worst bit,’ he explained. ‘H (Harry Kane) always speaks. The other night it was Walks (Kyle Walker). Tripps (Kieran Trippier) before when he was captain did a funny speech and messed it up and everyone started laughing. I know there is going to be pressure on me. But I’ll keep it short and sweet before the game.’

Listening to Rice speak yesterday, you suspect he will be fine when addressing his England team-mates ahead of battling Belgium at Wembley. He may not be a wolf, but he is already an alpha male at 25, with ample time to become a centurion for his country.