Danny Higginbotham says Declan Rice has to do more to stop England being exposed

Add as preferred source on Google

Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham thought England were left exposed at times against Bulgaria on Saturday and called on Declan Rice to do more to stop that.

In the Sun, Higginbotham said England need to protect themselves better from the counter attack and Rice needs to drop in and do that more when required.

He said: “One area they still need to improve on is that balance at the back, especially against teams who sit back very deep. Providing cover once Harry Maguire or any [other defender] goes on a run, which is when they are at their most vulnerable.

“Declan Rice – who was previously a centre back so should come as second nature – needs to drop and fill the gaps. Against Bulgaria at Wembley, they got caught on the counter a few times because they were not filling in for their adventurous defenders.

“That’s what they need to look out for against Kosovo. Going forward England are such a threat but they just have to tighten up.”

TBR’s View – Rice still learning his trade at international level

Rice has had a fantastic rise and fully deserves to be in the England squad. He got some criticism on Saturday but keeping it steady is what he was in the team to do.

But he does have to make sure England aren’t caught on the break – as hard as it is as a sole holding midfielder. On top of that, he was found wanting against Holland in the Nations League semi-final on the ball too.

Dominating the midfield area is so important in international football. Rice has the quality to fill that role for England but he needs to keep on improving.