Lineker warns Declan Rice over England place after rival's debut

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Gary Lineker has suggested that Declan Rice's place in the England team may no longer be guaranteed following the international debut of Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.

Scott started in midfield alongside Manchester City's Elliot Anderson as England thrashed Croatia 7-0 in the Nations League on Saturday night, playing 70 minutes before being withdrawn.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said the 23-year-old offered something the Three Lions have not had in the centre of the pitch.

"What an assured performance we saw from Alex Scott," Lineker said. "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."

'Declan's place is not always assured'

"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," the former England striker continued.

"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 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?"

Lineker added: "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."

Scott ruled out for two months

Any immediate challenge to Rice has been put on hold. The FA confirmed on Monday morning that Scott had left the England camp with a thigh problem ahead of Tuesday's meeting with the Czech Republic at Wembley, with the midfielder set for around two months out with a quadriceps issue.

Scott has been linked with moves to both Arsenal and Chelsea, making Lineker's comparison a particularly relevant one for supporters in north London.

Tuchel had been glowing in his assessment of the Bournemouth man after the Croatia rout, calling him "the complete package".

"First start and what a start, what a performance," the England boss said. "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."

Rice remains one of the first names on Tuchel's team sheet and has been a central figure for Arsenal since his move from West Ham. England sit second in Nations League Group 3, trailing a Spain side who have a perfect record after three games.

With Scott sidelined until the back end of the year, Rice has an extended run to reinforce his claim before the debate resurfaces.