Declan Rice Called England Icon His ‘Favourite Player’

Declan Rice is one of the best midfielders in the world. He cemented his status with two astonishing free kicks for Arsenal in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

A performance like that will live long in the memory and fans across the game will no doubt attempt to recreate his strikes in the park or on playgrounds for many years to come. The Englishman will have certainly inspired a fair few young footballers.

With that said, it’s interesting to consider who he looked up to as a youngster. In a past interview, he revealed that person for England icon John Terry. As a Chelsea legend, the Arsenal fanbase may not be too pleased with his pick – but there is good reason behind it.

John Terry Was An Inspiration For Declan Rice

“He was amazing for me when I got released as well”

Speaking to Amazon Prime on TikTok in 2024, he was asked to name his XT Rice said

It’s not the first time he has named the retired centre-back as an inspiration either. Speaking to Gary Neville, when asked to name his childhood hero, he previously revealed (via TalkSport):

“John Terry. I speak to him a lot, I speak to him all the time really.

“For me growing up being a Chelsea fan having a season ticket there, going to all the big games just being in the academy, just him, looking at him.

“Everything was JT. The kit JT26 on the back, even when I was young I said if I make it I want to be number 26.

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Rice Was Rejected at Chelsea

He proved his talent at West Ham and Arsenal

As Rice alluded to, after being born in southwest London, he joined Chelsea’s academy as a seven-year-old and played there until he was released seven years later. Although devastating at the time, he was supported by idol Terry and soon ended up at West Ham United.

He would break into the Hammers senior team around four years after leaving Chelsea and steadily establish himself into the £100m midfielder we know him to be these days, despite starting out his career as a centre-back, which goes some way to explaining why he idolised Terry growing up.

The English defender – one of the greatest of all time – has kept a keen eye on Rice’s career since and has been a big believer in his talent. In 2021, after West Ham beat Liverpool, Terry said the midfielder was currently “the best in his position in world football”.

Rice would lead West Ham to glory at the 2023 Europa Conference League before moving to Arsenal that very summer for around £100m. He looks set to become a club legend for the Gunners but it’s interesting to learn he was inspired by a rival Chelsea star.