Former England captain Wayne Rooney has tipped Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice to become the next long-term skipper of the national side, praising his leadership qualities and all-round influence following a crucial Premier League win at Everton.
Rooney was in attendance at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side ground out a narrow 1-0 victory, a result that lifted the Gunners back to the summit of the Premier League table.
While the match itself was a tense and scrappy affair, Rice’s commanding display in midfield stood out, drawing glowing praise from Rooney during the latest episode of BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show.
The 26-year-old England international has been a cornerstone of Arsenal’s title push this season, blending defensive discipline with intelligent passing and an increasing attacking presence in key moments.
Rice’s influence has not gone unnoticed at international level either. With 72 senior caps already to his name, he has worn the England armband on two occasions in the absence of current captain Harry Kane.
Those appearances came during a 2-2 draw with Belgium in March 2024 and a convincing 3-0 victory over Wales in October, performances that reinforced his credentials as a future leader. “For me, he’s the one who’s probably waiting for Harry to hang up his boots at some point,” Rooney said, underlining his belief that Rice is Kane’s natural successor.
Rooney, who captained England between 2014 and 2017, spoke from experience about the demands of leading the national side and the qualities required to shoulder that responsibility. Reflecting on Rice’s performance against Everton, Rooney highlighted the midfielder’s intelligence and tactical awareness as defining traits that set him apart.
“He was all over the pitch,” Rooney said. “His decision-making – when to pass it, where to pass it, what foot to pass it to – it was a pleasure to watch.” Rice’s versatility was another aspect Rooney was keen to emphasise, pointing to his ability to adapt seamlessly to different roles within Arteta’s system.
“He was splitting centre-backs, taking the ball off his own defenders, acting as a third centre-back, then the next minute he’s in the box trying to score,” Rooney added. Such adaptability, combined with consistency, has made Rice indispensable for both club and country, even if some of his contributions go under the radar.
“Sometimes, the stuff he does is underrated,” Rooney said, suggesting that Rice’s impact often extends beyond goals and assists. For Rooney, leadership is as much about personality as performance, and he believes Rice possesses the character needed to command respect in the England dressing room.
“He’s the right one to take over for me because of his drive and his personality,” Rooney explained. “Everyone who knows him seems to love him.” With England already looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, questions about the future leadership of the squad are increasingly relevant.
Rooney’s endorsement places Rice firmly at the centre of that conversation, particularly as Kane enters the latter stages of his international career. Beyond Rice, Rooney also turned his attention to another familiar name, offering encouragement to former Everton team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin following his recent resurgence at Leeds United.
The striker endured a difficult start to life at Elland Road, managing just one goal in his first 10 league appearances after leaving Everton at the end of last season. However, Calvert-Lewin has rediscovered his scoring touch in recent weeks, netting in five consecutive matches and scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Rooney believes that run of form could yet put the 28-year-old back on England’s radar ahead of next summer’s World Cup. “If he continues this, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be talked about or even get an opportunity,” Rooney said, citing England’s limited options in attack.
The former Manchester United striker highlighted Calvert-Lewin’s physical presence and aerial ability as qualities that could prove valuable at international level. “He competes, he’s great in the air, and when he’s scoring goals like this, he’s a handful for defenders,” Rooney noted.
Despite injury setbacks in recent seasons, Rooney insisted Calvert-Lewin still has plenty to offer, praising Leeds’ medical staff for helping keep him fit. Rooney also addressed Everton’s decision not to renew Calvert-Lewin’s contract, suggesting it was understandable given his injury record at the time.
Turning back to Arsenal, Rooney offered a measured assessment of striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored the decisive penalty against Everton but has struggled for consistency since his summer move from Sporting.
The Swedish international has seven goals in all competitions this season, yet has gone several matches without finding the net. Rooney urged patience, arguing that Gyokeres’ contribution should not be judged solely on his goal tally.
“He does a bit more than what you see,” Rooney said, pointing to the striker’s movement and ability to occupy opposition centre-backs. By drawing defenders out of position, Gyokeres creates space for Arsenal’s attacking midfielders and wide players to exploit, a role Rooney believes is often overlooked.
“He’s important for Arsenal,” Rooney insisted. “He’s doing a job which helps other players.” While acknowledging that Gyokeres should score more in a team chasing the title, Rooney suggested his overall influence could still prove decisive.
“If Arsenal go on to win the league, he’ll have had a big role to play,” Rooney said. As Arsenal continue their pursuit of Premier League glory, Rooney’s comments underline the importance of leadership, form and tactical contribution across the squad.
For Rice, the praise from a former England captain only strengthens the sense that he is not just shaping Arsenal’s present, but England’s future as well.
