West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice struggled in his last match for England.
Rice has been used in defensive midfield by both West Ham and England in recent weeks.
However, Redknapp thinks that Rice’s talents actually are better suited to playing in central defence.
He said: “Is Declan Rice the answer to England’s problems in defence? I suspect he could be.
“I see a centre back in the 20-year-old and that is where his future could lie for club and country, rather than being used solely in midfield.
“In the modern game, players are being told to pass it out from the back, and Rice is capable of executing that.”
Rice has played in central defence before at West Ham, but he has exclusively played in midfield more recently.
West Ham are well stocked at the back with Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena all competing for places in central defence.
Rice seems to have nailed down his place in Manuel Pellegrini’s team in midfield.
Rice’s place in England’s starting line-up is less secure though, and he struggled in Gareth Southgate’s side’s last match against the Czech Republic, which they lost 2-1.
England are in action again later this evening when they take on Bulgaria.
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