Lineker sends Rice warning over England place as Tuchel faces dilemma

Gary Lineker has warned Declan Rice that his England place could be under threat thanks to the emergence of Alex Scott. Bournemouth midfielder Scott was handed his first start for the Three Lions on Saturday, producing a statement performance in their 7-0 victory over Croatia.

The 23-year-old has been ruled out of Tuesday's clash with Czechia because of an injury which is set to sideline him for two months. But Scott's performance against Croatia was good enough to leave Thomas Tuchel with a lasting impression, having also called him up in June for England's pre-World Cup camp.

Lineker was impressed, too, and believes that Rice should sit up and take notice, as Scott can offer something different. "What an assured performance we saw from Alex Scott," the former England striker began on The Rest is Football podcast.

"I watched him quite closely and it's obviously only one game against a team who didn’t play very well on the night, but he was a big part of the game. If you look at the great teams that win tournaments, they have control in games and I think Alex Scott is a player we haven't necessarily seen within that England midfield.

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"Declan Rice has his strengths and is brilliant with his delivery and work-rate, but there's a calmness and control to Scott, he never gives the ball away and he's always scanning. I was really impressed; what a very, very confident start to his England career.

"I wonder what Thomas Tuchel is going to do because Alex Scott has that kind of control and Declan Rice's a totally different player. Does it give him a different option now and does it mean, perhaps, that Declan's place is not always assured?

"Maybe he will want to play slightly differently with someone like Alex Scott. It might be a bit early to say that but it's a conversation to be had."

Who should start for England - Declan Rice or Alex Scott? Have your say in the comments section.

Rice has been a mainstay under Tuchel - even when the Arsenal star wasn't fully fit for games at the World Cup. But Scott has given the England manager an alternative, and he waxed lyrical about him following the record-breaking win in Rijeka.

"First start and what a start, what a performance," Tuchel hailed. "He is so smooth on the ball, his decision making is at the highest level. He plays with so much confidence.

"He is so active, so confident. The work rate off the ball. He is just the complete package. He gave us a lot of mobility and a lot of variety and work rate in the centre of the pitch."

Scott also spoke after the match and is 'hungry' to prove himself at international level, having missed out on Tuchel's squad for the World Cup. "It gave me more hunger but I've said there's so many top players for this country, it's a tough squad to get into," the midfielder acknowledged.

"There was no bad feelings about not going to the World Cup, I went to the prep camp, I wanted to do that and learn as much as I can and it helped me coming into this camp and starting to play games."