rewrite this title Lingering Rice doubt leaves England with potential midfield problem

Declan Rice was substituted at half-time of England‘s World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, and the midfielder has reportedly still not recovered from the illness that forced his early withdrawal as the Three Lions prepare to face Argentina in the last four.

BBC Sport reported on Monday that Arsenal star Rice is still dealing with the effects of sickness bug that ended his involvement in the heat in Miami as England required extra time to beat Norway 2-1. As a result, England will make a late decision on whether he will start against Argentina.

There is said to be optimism that Rice will be ready to face the defending world champions as England get set to take on Argentina for the first time since a 2005 friendly.

But the lingering doubts surrounding Rice do leave Thomas Tuchel with a potential headache in midfield.

Rice recovery critical amid England’s lack of alternatives

Rice’s partnership with Elliot Anderson in midfield is cemented, and the options outside of that pair are not plentiful.

Right-back Reece James came on for Rice against Norway, with Tuchel making the most of the Chelsea captain’s versatility in being able to operate in the engine room.

However, James had missed the previous three matches due to a hamstring injury and has looked off the pace in the games he has played during the tournament.

And with Jordan Henderson sidelined with the freak wrist injury he suffered in the celebrations of England’s last-16 win over Mexico at Estadio Azteca, the only other player Tuchel has available to him is Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo enjoyed a fine 2025-26 season at Old Trafford with Michael Carrick revitalising his career, but he has not played a minute at the World Cup.

Given the magnitude of the occasion and the scale of the challenge facing England against Lionel Messi and Co, it is highly unlikely Tuchel would be willing to hand a start to Mainoo.

Considering his familiarity with club team-mate Enzo Fernandez, James would appear to be the choice if Rice is not fit enough to start in Atlanta. Still, given James’ performances and the physical condition of Ezri Konsa, who is nursing a hamstring issue of his own having started at right-back against Norway, that is a selection that carries risk.

Rice has fought through a hamstring injury to help get England to this point. While there are viable alternatives, it appears crucial for England’s hopes of a first World Cup final since 1966 that he shakes off the illness to take his place next to Anderson in the midfield for the resumption of a fierce rivalry.