‘Unless you can do better’ – Declan Rice told to give a firm message to Harry Kane and England teammates after leaving Three Lions legend Stuart Pearce puzzled

Declan Rice has been urged to rediscover his “steely determination” and take firm command within the England setup if the Three Lions are to finally end their six-decade wait for a major trophy. Former England defender Stuart Pearce believes the Arsenal midfielder is yet to fully tap into his potential, particularly as a set-piece weapon.

Pearce, who earned 78 international caps, expects more leadership from Arsenal’s midfield anchorman. He insists Rice has all the physical strength and technical skill needed to become one of the standout players at the tournament. Despite his consistency, the former England captain feels Rice must show the same ruthless edge that separates the world’s best.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Pearce said: “The best players are pleasant up to a point, but when they step on the pitch, they possess a steely drive to reach their goals. I’ve been in dressing rooms after he’s made errors, and he’s responded really positively.”

He continued, “With Dec, you feel he could change the course of a game on his own because of his strength and ability on the ball. And you’re left thinking: ‘Maybe just a bit more.’ I felt that even back in the West Ham days, and you don’t say that about many players.”

When it comes to set-pieces, Pearce wants Rice to assert himself, even if it means challenging senior figures like Harry Kane. He believes Rice has already demonstrated world-class quality in such situations but hasn’t shown it enough in an England shirt. Pearce, who was known for his own thunderous free-kicks, recalled: “I was known for taking free-kicks, and I saw Dec score two stunning ones against Real Madrid in April 2025. Since then, I’ve hardly seen him take any. Like Dec, I could score from them, and if I were him, I’d be telling my teammates: ‘Step aside, I’m taking this, and I’m taking all of them, unless you can do better than me.’”

Beyond individual duties, Pearce pointed out how the England side has evolved in its approach compared to his era. He feels the current team is more “streetwise” and pragmatic—an adjustment necessary to thrive in modern international football, even if it moves away from the traditional English toughness.

“We’re certainly a smarter team now. In my day, it was one-size-fits-all,” Pearce explained. “Back then, it was all physical; we played the English way, and if someone went down easily, you’d tell them to get up. That era’s gone. English football has grown more streetwise, and though it’s needed, it’s also a bit sad. You see players go down cheaply in the Premier League, and fans don’t like it—you can hear their frustration.”

The Football Association’s push to maximise the potential of its top performers ties into its larger goal of ending a painful 60-year drought for a major international title. That ambition led to a bold move—appointing Thomas Tuchel as head coach to replace Gareth Southgate, who had led the team to back-to-back European Championship final defeats.

England begin their World Cup campaign in Dallas against a tough Croatia side, followed by fixtures against Ghana and Panama to complete their group-stage journey.

The big question remains: how far can England go in their pursuit of World Cup success?