Former England captain and football legend Wayne Rooney has publicly anointed Arsenal's midfield maestro Declan Rice as the rightful heir to the England national team's armband. Rooney believes Rice is the perfect candidate to take over the captaincy once current skipper and record goalscorer Harry Kane decides to retire from international duty.
Rooney's Glowing Endorsement for Rice
In a detailed analysis for the BBC's Match of the Day, Rooney left no room for doubt about his pick for England's future leader. "For me, he's the one who's probably waiting for Harry (Kane) to hang up his boots at some point," Rooney stated emphatically. He highlighted the Arsenal star's intangible qualities, saying, "He's the right one to take over for me, because of his drive, his personality. Everyone seems to love him, who knows him, who's close to him. He's irreplaceable for England."
Rooney's praise extended to Rice's all-round technical ability, which he described as a joy to watch. "He was all over the pitch. His decision-making — when to pass it, where to pass it, what foot to pass it to, his detail on his pass — it was a pleasure to watch. He was absolutely incredible," the Manchester United icon added. He pointed out Rice's versatility, noting how the player splits centre-backs, acts as a third defender, and also makes late runs into the box to score.
Season of Dominance for Rice and Arsenal
Rooney's endorsement is backed by formidable statistics and on-pitch dominance. Declan Rice has been in scintillating form this 2025/26 season, contributing 2 goals and 6 assists across all competitions. His commanding presence in midfield has been a cornerstone of Arsenal's success. Under his influence, the Gunners have finished the calendar year at the summit of both the Premier League and their Champions League group.
Arsenal's latest result, a 1-0 away victory at Everton on December 13, 2025, secured by a Viktor Gyokeres penalty, ensured they will spend Christmas Day in first place. This marks the fifth time since the Premier League's 1992 inception that Arsenal have been top on December 25. However, history shows they have not converted any of the previous four occasions into a league title.
The Title Race and Historical Challenge
The North London club faces immense pressure to break this historical pattern. Their closest challenger, Manchester City, is just two points behind in second place and displayed ominous form with a 3-0 demolition of West Ham United. In that match, Erling Haaland scored twice, taking his season tally to 19 goals in 17 games, and in the process surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo on the Premier League's all-time scoring list.
For Declan Rice, the immediate focus will be on maintaining Arsenal's title charge and continuing his own world-class performances. But Rooney's comments have firmly placed the long-term future of the England captaincy on his shoulders, setting the stage for a seamless transition when the era of Harry Kane eventually concludes.
