Rice feels like he will get an assist at every corner

June 21, 2026 No Comments

Rice feels like he will get an assist at every corner Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Declan Rice has made 74 appearances for EnglandByAlex Howell

England reporter in Kansas City

15 minutes ago

Declan Rice feels like he will get an assist “every time” he takes a corner – and says England supporters should be “excited” for what is to come at the World Cup.

England looked threatening from set-pieces during their 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening match of the tournament.

Harry Kane’s opening goal from the penalty spot came after Noni Madueke was fouled following a Rice cross – and the England captain headed home his second from a Rice corner.

The 27-year-old was part of an Arsenal side that scored from a record 19 corners last season as they won their first Premier League title in 22 years.

However, the Gunners faced criticism for a pragmatic style of play and reliance on set-pieces (scoring 25 goals from set-plays overall).

“Everyone’s enjoying [set-pieces] now, aren’t they?” Rice mentioned, speaking to BBC Sport at England’s base in Kansas City. “Everyone’s enjoying them now.”

Rice became Arsenal’s designated set-piece taker in January 2024 after a mid-season training camp in Dubai – and the Gunners are now renowned for their prowess from such situations.

“I wouldn’t ever take corners or set-pieces, but [set-piece coach] Nico [Jover] and the manager at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn’t,” Rice mentioned.

“They mentioned that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo [Saka]. From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.

“As time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it’s a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I’m going to get an assist or make something happen that’s dangerous.

“That’s a good mentality to have over set-pieces… and England fans can be excited.”

The midfielder is England’s vice-captain at this tournament and has become one of the most consistent corner takers in the Premier League.

England boss Thomas Tuchel has put an emphasis on wanting to play football that replicates the style that is played in the Premier League.

Rice says the Three Lions have worked on set-pieces since the German took over in January 2025 – but the tactical aspect of the game is what has dominated training sessions.

“We only get a small amount of time here to work on them because we have to work on loads of other stuff,” Rice mentioned.

“But also we’ve been putting this format and the way we’re going to take set-pieces in since Thomas has come in.

“A lot of the way we’ve taken them hasn’t changed much in terms of the movements, the way I deliver the ball…

“This has been going on in the lead-up for the past year, so the lads know what’s coming… where I’m going to deliver the ball.

“So there’s a real gameplan and it’s just on me to deliver and obviously the boys have to free themselves up in the box.”

Boring when people speak about my fitness – James

Chelsea captain Reece James is another player with the ability to take set-pieces and acknowledged the “huge threats” that are in the England squad.

The 26-year-old worked with Tuchel at Chelsea and is playing at his first World Cup as England’s first-choice right-back.

James has sustained a number of injuries in his career and has faced questions about his ability to play regularly with limited recovery time.

He looked to have got over those problems, but picked up a hamstring injury at the end of the 2025-26 campaign which kept him out for four weeks and meant he missed England’s games against Japan and Uruguay.

But James returned for Chelsea in time to be selected for the World Cup squad and ended the season with 39 appearances in all competitions for his club.

“People always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it’s so boring now.” James mentioned to 5 Live in Kansas City.

“I have one job, which is to be the best I can when I’m on the pitch. To be honest, I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring.

“I’ve been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don’t listen to too much noise.

“I just focus on myself, my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I’m playing in.”