Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has tipped Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as a future captain of the England national team, praising his leadership, consistency and all-round influence on the pitch.

Rooney made the comments after watching Arsenal secure a hard-fought 1–0 Premier League win over Everton on Saturday, a result that returned Mikel Arteta’s side to the top of the table. Rice, 26, delivered a commanding midfield performance, controlling the tempo of the game and providing the kind of authority Rooney believes defines a natural leader.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Rooney said Rice already looks like a player ready to assume greater responsibility for England once current captain Harry Kane steps aside. He highlighted Rice’s work rate, composure and personality as qualities that set him apart.

According to Rooney, Rice’s intelligence in possession and positional awareness make him invaluable. He noted how the midfielder seamlessly dropped into defence to collect the ball, split centre-backs with precise passes and still found himself pushing forward into the box to support attacks.

Rooney added that some aspects of Rice’s game are often underrated, particularly the detail and timing of his passing. He described Rice as “irreplaceable” for England, stressing that his drive and the respect he commands from teammates make him the ideal long-term successor to Kane.

Rice has continued to grow into a leadership role for both Arsenal and England, and Rooney’s endorsement adds to growing belief that the midfielder could soon become a central figure in the national team’s future leadership structure.