Declan Rice is going to the World Cup as England's vice-captain, and honestly, it's hard to argue with that decision. The Arsenal midfielder has grown into one of the best players in the Premier League over the last couple of seasons, and his form for the Gunners since leaving West Ham has been genuinely impressive. He's got the respect of his teammates, he works his socks off, and he can actually play football — which is more than you can say for some holding midfielders who've been handed big responsibilities over the years.
The vice-captaincy itself is one of those roles that can feel a bit ceremonial at times, but with Harry Kane leading the line as captain, having Rice right behind him in the pecking order makes a lot of structural sense. If Kane were ever unavailable for any reason, you'd want someone who commands authority in that dressing room, and Rice does exactly that. He's not the type to be flashy about it either, which is probably why it suits him so well.
What's interesting is how far Rice has come in a relatively short space of time on the international stage. He wasn't always the automatic starter he is now, and there were moments where England fans weren't completely sold on where he fitted in the system. Those doubts feel like ancient history at this point. He's nailed down his spot and then some.
From a purely football standpoint, having Rice as vice-captain also sends a decent message to the rest of the squad about what kind of players Southgate values — industrious, technically solid, team-first. There's no ego on show here, just a player who gets on with the job and makes everyone around him better.
Whether England can actually win the World Cup is a whole different conversation, and one that probably deserves its own lengthy therapy session. But in terms of squad leadership, putting Rice in this position feels like a logical and well-earned choice.
Let me know your thoughts.