Declan Rice
December 2025
Rooney has singled out Declan Rice as England’s future captain, hailing the Arsenal midfielder as irreplaceable for both club and country after another dominant performance that showcased his leadership, work rate and passing detail in a grinding 1-0 league win over Everton. Rooney praised Rice’s ability to control games from deep and arrive in the box, stressing that his mentality, personality and popularity within the dressing room make him the natural heir to Harry Kane’s armband once the Bayern Munich striker steps aside for the next generation.