Tuchel on Rice and Saka after the Arsenal duo join England team

Declan Rice has officially been named England’s vice captain by Thomas Tuchel after another brilliant season with Arsenal which ended with a Premier League trophy.

Tuchel confirmed the decision to make Rice the vice skipper ahead of England’s friendly against Costa Rica on Wednesday, as the Three Lions continue to build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“We have the leadership group of five or six players, if you want to call them captains without the armband,” Tuchel explained in his press conference on Tuesday.

“Declan is one of them and Harry (Kane) is one of them. These are the two guys with the armband. Harry is our captain, there is no doubt about that and Declan is our second captain.

“When Harry was not in camp and didn’t play against Wales, we had the choice and it was a very quick one and very obvious one, to give it to Declan.

“He’s on the highest football IQ, he takes care about formation, he takes care about our structure and the adaptation.

“I think he has had an outstanding two seasons in his personal career with Arsenal. In the last two years, he has been one of the main players in Europe and in the Champions League.

“One of the very best midfielders in Europe at the moment, full of confidence and that’s why he’s my vice captain.”

Rice joined the squad in Florida late on alongside fellow Gunners Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

Tuchel has given an update on the fitness of the Arsenal quartet after reaching the Uefa Champions League final, as well as the squad in general, in the build-up to Wednesday’s game.

“No-one needs a break; everyone is available. That’s the very good news,” he said.

“No-one was injured, and no complaints after the first match. We’re ready to give it a push (against Costa Rica). A push means more than 45 minutes, players will play 60, maybe some 70, the decision is not made yet. That’s the plan.

“We then have the chance one day later in a match behind closed doors at our training facility, then pre-camp is finished and we start our adventure two days later in Kansas.”

He added: “We still have to take care of Bukayo a little bit, who had an injury in the March camp and carried it through into his club campaign and was available and made himself available at the end of the season and did this brilliantly and was managed in between matches.

“That continues a little bit at the moment. We’re building him up. Noni is 100% available, Declan is 100% available and Ebs (Eberechi Eze) as well.”