Leeds Test Will Prove Whether Rice’s England Nations League Withdrawal Was Right Decision
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice’s future role in England’s midfield was questioned by Gary Lineker after Alex Scott’s impressive first senior international start in the 7-0 thrashing of Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.
But the decision to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad in an attempt to manage his workload made sense after Rice had only three weeks off post-World Cup before returning to pre-season training.
The 27-year-old has struggled with persistent back problems after suffering a hamstring injury last December and Mikel Arteta will hope that the rest has done Rice – who is thought to be close to agreeing a lucrative new contract at the Emirates – the world of good as they prepare to resume the defence of their Premier League title against Leeds on Saturday.
*Arsenal v Leeds, Saturday.
Chelsea Welcome Injury-Plagued Bournemouth
With Eli Junior Kroupi, Amine Adli, Veljko Milosavljevic and Julián Araujo yet to feature this season due to injury, Marco Rose must have been tearing his remaining hair out upon learning Alex Scott got hurt on England duty and will be out of action for two months.
Sitting 17th and still searching for their first league win, the German’s side squandered nine points from winning positions in four of their first five games – and it was the 23-year-old who was central in ensuring Bournemouth had those leads in the first place.
With just 55 minutes of football behind him this season, it seems unlikely Alex Toth will get the nod to replace Scott when Bournemouth travel to Chelsea with the older, more experienced Ryan Christie available and in good form.
But having forced his way into the Hungary starting lineup during the international break, it would be no surprise to see the 20-year-old get more minutes with a view to being used far more often given his side’s gruelling schedule of nine matches in the next month.
*Chelsea v Bournemouth, Saturday.
Man U, Carrick, Beware Spurs Could Reignite Old Trafford Crisis
If “Dr Tottenham” is a thing,
Manchester United possess their own healing powers for opponents.
Self-harm is a factor too. They rolled out the welcome mat to Premier League newcomers Hull on opening day and Brighton were ushered back into a Carabao Cup tie.
In United’s final game before the international break flagging Fulham were able to restore some faith, their goal via slapstick defending from Lisandro Martínez and Senne Lammens.
Can Old Trafford, where fans will have regulatory matters at City to celebrate, lift the gloom for Tottenham?
This season, like last season and the one before that, Spurs have assumed the mantle of crisis club, a status Michael Carrick’s January arrival temporarily removed from United.
Lose to Tottenham, and the crisis prefix is likely to be reattached.
Tottenham have done damage before. In September 2024, a 3-0 Spurs win at Old Trafford began Erik ten Hag’s hurtle towards the exit. Losing the Europa League final started Ruben Amorim’s downward spiral. Carrick beware?
*Manchester United v Tottenham, Saturday.
Anfield To Turn Up Heat On Besieged City
Manchester City resume playing under the darkest of clouds, with a visit to their greatest rivals of a golden period now shrouded by a guilty verdict.
Five Premier League wins from five under Enzo Maresca had offered hopes of success in a post-Pep Guardiola era.
The dial has since moved on what constitutes success for a club where minds are consumed by legal issues but the band must play on.
Can Maresca summon a siege mentality? City lifted a treble, including the Champions League, when the 100-plus charges first came to public light in 2023.
The Anfield crowd will readily remind City of the infamy their club faces down. That Guardiola’s now-disputed dominance came at the cost of Jürgen Klopp’s great team will add to the ire, and very probably the pyro greeting to Anfield.
Cool heads may be required in the policing and on the field, to which a return to focusing on football may offer welcome relief.
*Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday.
