Declan Rice expects to be ‘hated and loved’ during England’s World Cup campaign | OneFootball

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said he is prepared to be “hated one minute and loved the next” in England’s bid to win a first World Cup in 60 years.

Rice, who is just three matches away from a remarkable Premier League and Champions League double, is set to play a pivotal role for his national team this summer.

Although England’s record improved under previous manager Gareth Southgate, their sole major tournament triumph remains the 1966 World Cup.

And all eyes will be on Thomas Tuchel’s men when they take on Croatia in their first group game in Arlington, Texas on June 17.

Rice, capped 72 times by England, said: “The biggest challenge is dealing with everything that comes with being an England player.

“It’s going to be the most-watched football event of the last four years. One minute you’re going to be hated, one minute you’re going to be loved. It always changes in football. You’ve just got to take it with a pinch of salt.”

England’s so-called Golden Generation – which featured the likes of Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand – stumbled on the world stage, with players subsequently admitting they struggled to put their respective club rivalries to one side.

However, Rice, 27, who was speaking to British Vogue, continued: “Whether it’s through social media or in real life, you can see that there’s a real connection between us.

“You obviously hear about the older generation talking about how they didn’t get on and how they couldn’t connect and play together. But I think with us, that’s why, over the last few years with England, we’ve done so well, because we’re close on and off the pitch.

“We obviously all play against each other, but football’s not like that any more. A lot of people have best friends from opposite teams, spend a lot of time with players from opposite teams. With England, we all get on. We always look forward to seeing each other. It’s a nice getaway.”

Rice will line up for Arsenal’s home fixture against Burnley on Monday before the club’s concluding match at Crystal Palace six days later. A win in both games will guarantee Arsenal their first league title since 2004.