Three years ago, Declan Rice was the featured speaker at a Soho House event focused on leadership’s impact. With a European semi-final match for West Ham just days away, he found it surprising that so many were interested in his insights.
The audience comprised marketing executives and CEOs eager to hear from the England midfielder. For Rice, it felt unusual to be in such demand. What was it about him that drew this interest? The answer lies in his relatable nature and his remarkable ability to connect with people. As England’s new vice-captain prepares for the World Cup after clinching the Premier League title with Arsenal, it’s clear he embodies leadership qualities that resonate across various environments. Above all, Rice is genuine, approachable, and capable of captivating anyone, whether he is addressing a group of industry leaders or visiting his old school to inspire young students.
His extraordinary talent exists alongside an everyman appeal. “He never missed a game for us,” reflects Stephen Willmore, Rice’s former PE teacher. The positive stories about Rice are numerous and come from many perspectives. As a seven-year-old in Chelsea’s academy, he began attending Grey Court school in southwest London, displaying no signs of arrogance. He captained the school’s football team, and while Harry Kane remains firmly in position, many believe Rice will eventually take over as England’s captain.
“If we had to change the kick-off times he would always want to play for the school and then go to training with Chelsea afterwards. He was a leader already. Even though he was so young he was hugely respected for the fact that he always wanted to play for the school team. “He didn’t hold back. He would play for us and go straight off to training, but he would give his all within that time with us. He was charismatic. He had a great personality. We’d go on away journeys in the minibus and he would be the central figure. He was just a really nice young man who’s carried on in that way. I still see that Declan you see now.” Willmore recalls. “That shock of my dad telling me, I just burst into tears,”
“His mum and dad were always really supportive,”
Unlike many players, Rice does not rely on a typical agent. Instead, he seeks guidance from his two older brothers, father, and a close-knit circle of friends. Despite his success, he has remained grounded and keeps in touch with old classmates. Academically, he thrived and enjoyed various sports, including tennis and cross-country running. On the football field, he was a commanding presence, excelling in midfield with impressive passing and dominance. However, his time at Chelsea was marked by high expectations, and he faced disappointment when he was released from the club at age 14.
“He had really nice parents.” Rice recounted in 2019. He had to summon his resilience quickly, as West Ham offered him an opportunity. The club had followed his progress since he was nine and was fortunate to secure him after Chelsea’s decision.
At West Ham, he impressed the academy staff, who had never encountered a trialist of his caliber. Though he needed to work on his physique post-growth spurt, they made the right choice in signing him. Rice was the kind of player who would inform coaches if a teammate was struggling emotionally.
This speaks volumes about his character, especially considering that joining West Ham meant crossing London and leaving his family home in Kingston. He hails from a close-knit family that provided unwavering support. “hit a diagonal ball out to the left wing with a lovely bit of fade on it” Willmore mentions. “We played Rubin Kazan in pre-season,”
Rice’s journey was not without challenges. At times, West Ham’s youth coaches debated his future with the team. Nevertheless, he persevered, making his first-team debut under Slaven Bilic in May 2017, subsequently catching the attention of senior players during training.
Mark Noble, the former West Ham captain, recalls Rice’s skill, noting how he would step out of defense to deliver a perfectly executed diagonal ball to the left wing. Noble sensed that Rice would one day claim a midfield position.
“Dec gives the ball away and the lad went on and scored. But his reaction just told me what he was like. It wasn’t like his head was down and he didn’t want the ball. It was: ‘Fine, give me the ball, I’m going to show you what I’ve got.’ I thought: ‘Gosh, he’s going to be some player.’” recalls Aaron Cresswell, a former West Ham left-back. “He could speak to anyone. And when the going gets tough, he’s first to put his chest out and carry the team. In the latter part of his West Ham career he certainly pulled us through games, whether it was making that last-ditch tackle or dragging a team up the pitch.”
Rice embraced leadership effortlessly. He was bold enough to challenge older teammates and even voiced his thoughts to then-manager David Moyes. “If he felt something needed to be said, he’d say it,” Cresswell shares. “He was brilliant in and around the place. Everyone loved him.”
A significant aspect of Rice’s character is his ability to maintain professionalism while keeping things lighthearted. There’s a memorable instance when he jokingly teased Joe Hart, who was on loan at West Ham during the 2017-18 season.
“He did a shooting session with Joe,” Cresswell recounts. “Dec put it in the top corner. Joe came out and he tried to chip him. Dec said: ‘You won’t get that, son’ and Joe lost his head. He wanted to kill him. He chased him all around the training ground. I think he actually filled him in when he got hold of him. But Dec’s heart was in the right place. It was never crossing that line into arrogance. You need that little bit of character.”
Rice transitioned from central defense to midfield seamlessly. His ascent to the top was inevitable, yet his focus never wavered as he prepared to leave West Ham. He led the team to victory in the Conference League in June 2023 and became the most expensive British player ever when he transferred to Arsenal for £105 million.
Interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester clubs was significant, but Mikel Arteta captivated Rice with his vision for the team. Arteta suggested that Rice could be Arsenal’s guiding light, responsible for nurturing and elevating his teammates. At Arsenal, Rice has evolved beyond a facilitator; transitioning to a more offensive role under Arteta, he now enjoys greater freedom with England thanks to the emergence of the metronomic Elliot Anderson. This increased attacking threat was on display when he made a late run during England’s 3-0 friendly win against Costa Rica, scoring by converting a low cross from Anthony Gordon.
“I don’t think a lot of people appreciate actually the ability he’s got with the ball,” Cresswell points out. “You’re seeing it a lot more at Arsenal side. No disrespect to the West Ham team we had, but his game was kind of different. I remember getting slated a bit for this. I remember saying: ‘If he’s around better players he’ll naturally become a better player.’ He’s one of the best in the world in that position.”
Cresswell reflects on Rice’s set-piece proficiency, which played a vital role in Arsenal’s league triumph, including two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid in the 2024-25 Champions League quarter-finals. “That was the first time he’d scored a free-kick in his career,” Cresswell notes. “I was thinking: impossible. I watched him take free-kicks all the time at West Ham. His ball strike … I was astonished.”
The match against Madrid felt like Rice’s announcement to the world as a global superstar. He now partners with ten commercial brands and is actively involved in charity work. The interest surrounding him is extensive and diverse. Rice approaches his collaborations with fashion and beauty brands like Burberry and L’Oréal with a serious demeanor, yet he showcased his playful side during the “He sometimes doesn’t need to have the armband,” advertisement for Müller Rice.
His ability to uplift the atmosphere while maintaining professionalism is remarkable. With an eclectic taste in music and a partnership with JBL headphones, he enjoys listening to Gunna and Lil Baby, in addition to house music and Harry Styles. Golf also captivates him; after Arsenal’s league victory, he celebrated late into the night, sharing moments on social media with fans before heading out for a round of golf. “When he talks people listen.” a friend comments, noting Rice has a six handicap.
The demands of his profession are intense. Rice has experienced near misses with England, being on the losing end in the Euro 2020 and 2024 finals. He played a crucial role in two of Arsenal’s three consecutive second-place finishes before they finally secured the title. At times, Rice questioned if he would ever achieve the big successes. Friends advised him that a steady, gradual approach was better, emphasizing that consistency would ultimately pay off.
Perhaps that’s why the cameras caught Rice saying, “I was at the Arsenal game a couple of weeks ago at West Ham and he’s still the same kid now,” after Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester City in the league last April. His faith in Arteta and his teammates was ultimately justified. “I’ve got a little eight-year-old boy. Dec came in, gave him a shirt and signed it for him and took pictures with him. He’s never forgotten West Ham or the lads who’ve helped him develop. He’s got all the time in the world for everyone.” Arteta remarked. “He looked like a little scally. But we’ve all been a little bit wet behind the ears. He’s a fully grown man now.”
Cresswell chuckles at social media claims that Rice only performs for the cameras. “I was at a recent Arsenal match against West Ham, and he’s still the same kid,” he says. “I have an eight-year-old son. Dec came over, gave him a shirt, signed it, and took pictures. He hasn’t forgotten West Ham or the teammates who helped him grow. He’s always available for everyone.”
These days, Rice sports longer hair and participates in lifestyle interviews discussing his hair care routine. Cresswell reminisces about Rice’s teenage appearance. “He had a skinhead,” he laughs. “He looked like a little scallywag. But we’ve all had our awkward phases. He’s a mature man now.”
Rice, who is set to earn his 74th cap when England faces Croatia in Group L on Wednesday, is devoted to his family and has embraced fatherhood. His playful side remains vibrant. As England prepares for the World Cup in the sweltering Florida heat, Rice lightheartedly commented on images of his sunburned face, mentioning that his mother scolded him for neglecting to apply sunscreen.
This candidness is a refreshing trait from one of England’s pivotal players. Since switching allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in 2019, Rice has maintained a self-deprecating sense of humor. He possesses the rare ability to joke without undermining his commitment to the game.
It’s no surprise that Thomas Tuchel has entrusted Rice with the responsibility of supporting Kane. England will heavily depend on Rice’s drive and leadership during the upcoming summer tournament. The objective, as the head coach has consistently reiterated, is to achieve a second star on the national shirt. Should Rice lift the World Cup, there will be much more discussion on leadership ahead.
