Wayne Rooney Reveals His Pick for England's Future Captain After Harry Kane Era Ends
Wayne Rooney has advocated for "indispensable" Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice to succeed Harry Kane as England's captain once the striker steps away from international football.
Rice proved vital to Arsenal's trophy pursuit last season and has maintained exceptional form this campaign as the Gunners compete across four competitions. The dynamic midfielder has delivered his trademark defensive excellence while also making an impact in attack with seven goal contributions. He's now considered among the elite central midfielders globally.
The 26-year-old delivered another standout performance during Arsenal's tight 1–0 victory against Everton on Saturday evening, contributing to a vital three points that secured their status as Premier League leaders heading into Christmas.
Following yet another impressive showing, former England skipper Rooney heaped praise on Arsenal's midfield maestro, describing him as "absolutely phenomenal" and suggesting him as the ideal successor to Kane's captaincy for the national team.
Rooney Praises "Undervalued" Rice
Rice has already worn the England captain's armband twice in Kane's absence, including during the commanding 3–0 triumph over Wales in October's international window. Taking charge of his country seems destined to become routine for the Arsenal midfielder when Kane eventually retires, with Rooney endorsing his leadership potential.
"In my opinion, he's the player who's likely waiting for Harry to eventually step down," commented the former Manchester United forward on BBC Sport's The Wayne Rooney Podcast. "He covered every blade of grass [against Everton]. His judgment—knowing when to distribute, where to send it, which foot to find, the precision of his passing—it was magnificent to observe. He was absolutely phenomenal.
"He was threading passes between defenders, collecting possession from [Arsenal's] center-backs, functioning as an additional center-back, then moments later he's in the penalty area, attempting to find the net. Occasionally, some of his contributions go somewhat undervalued.
"He's the perfect candidate to inherit [Kane's role] in my view, due to his determination, his character. Everyone appears to admire him, those who know him personally. He's indispensable for England."
Rice has earned 72 caps for England since transferring from the Republic of Ireland national setup and the midfielder will be crucial to any aspirations of 2026 World Cup success under Thomas Tuchel's leadership.