Declan Rice: England have never had a 'better penalty-taking team' at this World Cup

England has seven points after three matches, topping the group. Everything has been carefully prepared. But for England, the World Cup really only begins when entering the knockout round. With talent, confidence and the expectation of reaching the final, the team believes that this tournament can become something special.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice sat down for an interview with The Standard's football reporter Dom Smith and said he believes England's World Cup squad has the best penalty takers the program has ever had. "I look at this group of players now. I don't think there's a better penalty-taking team that England have ever had," Rice said. "I look at Harry [Kane], Ivan [Toney], Marcus [Rashford], Anthony Gordon, [Bukayo] Saka, and also Jude [Bellingham]. They can all take penalties."

Rice always showed confidence in the England squad throughout the tournament. It's not simply the talent that surrounds him, but also his preparedness for tense moments. If the Three Lions face a penalty shootout in any World Cup situation, Rice is confident they will be ready for the moment. "We have very good penalty takers and I feel like as the tournament goes on you'll hear about needing to win a penalty shootout to get to the final or to win the tournament, and you know that could happen on the road," Rice said. “So we will be well prepared for that.”

England's confidence from the penalty spot is backed by experience and the proven goalscorers in the squad. From seasoned veterans to young stars, Rice believes there are many players capable of performing well in penalty kicks. When it comes to responsibility from the penalty spot, Rice said there was no doubt about who was leading the charge. "I can't go to Kane and tell him about penalties, because he's the best penalty taker. The mentality for all of us is, we don't have to say anything, it's just non-stop. Hopefully the goalkeepers can stop a few," Rice said.

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