Of all people, Man Utd legend praises Arsenal star: "He'll be England captain"
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 22.12.25. | 11:17
Everyone seems to love him, who knows him, who's close to him. He's irreplaceable
Wayne Rooney has delivered a heavyweight endorsement. After watching Arsenal grind out a 1-0 win at Everton and reclaim top spot in the Premier League, the former England captain pointed to Declan Rice and saw the future of the Three Lions.
Rooney was in the stands at Hill Dickinson Stadium as Mikel Arteta's side survived a tough, scrappy night on Merseyside. What caught his eye wasn't just the result - it was Rice. The Arsenal midfielder, 26, put in a performance that screamed leadership.
"Declan Rice is incredible. For me, he's the next England captain." pic.twitter.com/iJdheHd10B
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 22, 2025
Rice already knows the weight of the armband. With Harry Kane absent, he has captained England twice: in the 2-2 draw with Belgium in March 2024 and the 3-0 win over Wales this October. For Rooney, that's no coincidence.
"For me, he's the one waiting for Harry to hang up his boots," Rooney said on BBC Sport's The Wayne Rooney Show.
Against Everton, Rice was everywhere. Dictating play, choosing the right pass, the right moment, even the right foot.
"A pleasure to watch," Rooney called it. "Absolutely incredible."
The praise didn't stop there. The Manchester United legend highlighted Rice's tactical intelligence and versatility: dropping between centre-backs to build play, stepping out to break lines, then suddenly appearing in the box looking for a goal.
"Sometimes, what he does is underrated," Rooney added.
And then the verdict. Clear, decisive, and unmistakable.
Rice, in Rooney's eyes, is the natural heir to Kane. Not just because of his football, but because of his personality, his drive, his presence in the dressing room.
"Everyone loves him," Rooney said. "He's irreplaceable for England."
A captain in waiting - and perhaps sooner than anyone thinks.
