Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has now been reflecting on some praise he received from England manager Gareth Southgate.
Right now, Rice and his England teammates will be preparing to demonstrate a much more fluid and controlled performance against Slovenia.
Rice was one of several England players who were well below their usual standards against Denmark last Thursday, causing concern for the side moving forward.
In Rice’s case, the performance was a complete one-off, and the Arsenal midfielder was clearly losing confidence as a result of the shortcomings around him.
Perhaps the pitch was to blame, but it wasn’t an excuse being used by the Danish players.
That being said, Rice has been outstanding in his England career to date, replicating the same dominant form he consistently delivers for Mikel Arteta.
And with that in mind, Rice has now responded to Southgate’s compliments ahead of Slovenia, saying he takes nothing for granted.
Declan Rice says Arsenal form has been crucial to England success
Praising Rice, Southgate recently questioned where England would be without the Arsenal midfielder.
And perhaps that is the vote of confidence that Rice and all his international teammates would benefit from before facing Slovenia on Tuesday, when England need to secure top spot in the group.
Speaking via ITV Sport, Rice responded: “It’s unreal comments to hear. As a player it gives you so much confidence.
“Me and Kalvin Phillips have played in the six position, Hendo a bit, it’s been mainly me since I broke into the squad and it’s never a given you get into an England squad.
“You need to perform well, week in week out, and for your club consistently and I’ve done that.
“I never take this moment for granted getting called up for England, it’s the biggest honour you can possibly have.”
Wayne Rooney thinks Bukayo Saka might be dropped vs Slovenia
Of course, whilst there’s no doubt over Rice’s starting role against Slovenia, there is some uncertainty surrounding his Arsenal teammate, Bukayo Saka.
Despite all he’s achieved for club and country this season, Wayne Rooney doesn’t think it’s impossible that Southgate will bench Saka.
Rooney himself said he wouldn’t make the move, recognising how well Saka has played for his country even during England’s tough moments at Euro 2024.
And in all honesty, it is pretty remarkable that the Arsenal winger’s starting role is even up for debate.
Alongside Rice, Saka has arguably been England’s most consistent performer in recent years, a player who would start for every other side in Germany this summer.