The West Ham United man is set to choose between Ireland and England, despite already being capped for the Irish National side.
West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini says that Declan Rice could challenge for a place in the England team – should he decide to go down that route.
The 19-year-old is reportedly considering a switch of allegiance from the Irish National set-up to England’s, despite having already played three times for Ireland and developed through their national youth system.
Rice was born in London, however, and an apparent approach from Gareth Southgate has got him reconsidering things.
Pellegrini summed up Rice’s position after West Ham’s victory over AFC Wimbledon in the League Cup, a game in which the youngster played 90 minutes.
“Declan Rice has a big problem,” Pellegrini told the Guardian.
“But I think that his heart must decide if he feels more Irish or more English.”
Rice already has a place in the Irish team, as proven by his three caps at just 19 years old, but England is a more competitive national side – and one in which Rice could struggle for caps.
But Pellegrini backs his player to challenge for an England place.
“He is a player that is completing his development in a physical way,” Pellegrini added.
“He is a strong player, a good technical player. With England, he will have big competition but I think he is able to take that challenge – that’s without me giving him a decision. He must take the decision himself.”
It would be a huge decision from Rice to switch. The chance to play for his country of birth would be massive, but he’s been happy to play for Ireland thus far. Is giving up regular international football worth it for the chance of a few England caps?
Only Rice can know that – it simply comes down to what matters the most to him.
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