Former England and Manchester United defender Paul Parker has said that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice should be one of the first names on the Three Lions’ team sheet.
West-Ham born ex-defender Parker, who played 19 times for England between 1989 and 1994, has given his verdict on England’s best players ahead of their second World Cup Group B game on Tuesday against Wales.
Speaking on the quality of midfielder and Hammers captain Rice, as well as Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham, Parker said that the duo, who partnered each other in the 6-2 win over Iran on Monday, should be among the first two names on Gareth Southgate’s team sheet.
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“Declan Rice is important as well,” Parked told Futbin. “Rice and Bellingham are the first two players on the team sheet for England and will also be that for many years to come. They do their job, they are unselfish and they are anything but lazy”
“Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham will be the most important players for England the rest of the tournament and for the future as well.”
England will book their place into the Round of 16 on Friday night with a game to spare should they beat the United States of America. Earlier in the day in Group B, Iran scored two late goals to earn a 2-0 victory against Wales, who ended the game with ten men.
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