Former England striker, Gary Lineker, has voiced his concerns about the potential burnout of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The England legend is worried that Rice's heavy workload this season could lead to fatigue and impact his performance on the international stage.
At just 27 years old, Declan Rice has been a consistent figure in both club and country games. He has started in an impressive 45 out of Arsenal’s 51 matches this season alone, clocking up a total of 4,066 minutes on the pitch. Additionally, he featured prominently in all six of England’s fixtures since last July.
This demanding schedule raises questions about whether he can maintain peak performance throughout the expanded World Cup schedule. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker highlighted these challenges.
Gary Lineker, Premier League legend, said:
“This World Cup is like no other we’ve ever had. There’s an extra round of matches, it’s going to be played in exceptional heat, and there are a lot of games to play. You’re going to have to rotate, players are going to get injured. The more players that you’ve got that are seriously good the better,”
A reliable alternative?
In light of these concerns over Rice's stamina and sustainability for such an intense tournament as the World Cup, Lineker suggested Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo as a possible backup option for England’s squad.
Mainoo has shown promise since Michael Carrick took charge at Old Trafford earlier this year. His decisive goal in United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford added to his tally of one goal and two assists from his first thirteen Premier League starts under Carrick's leadership.
His recent performances have led to increased calls for him to be included in England’s World Cup plans as a reliable alternative should Rice need rest during the tournament.
Arsenal eye PSG forward amid squad concerns
Meanwhile, away from England's preparations for the world cup event, Arsenal is reportedly keeping tabs on Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola amidst their own squad concerns. According to TEAMtalk, the Gunners are not alone in their interest, with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea also reportedly vying for the Frenchman’s signature.
Barcola has been in impressive form this season with 12 goals and seven assists from his 44 appearances across all competitions. Despite his contract running until June 2028, there are reports that his team is exploring options for a move this summer. Interest has also come from other football giants including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund.
As preparations for the FIFA World Cup continue to heat up both on and off the pitch; player fatigue management will be crucial to ensure peak performance during the tournament. The inclusion of emerging talents like Mainoo could provide much-needed rest periods for overworked players like Rice while maintaining a strong squad capable of competing at the highest level.
