Declan Rice’s future role in England’s midfield was questioned by Gary Lineker after Alex Scott’s impressive first senior international start in the 7-0 thrashing of Croatia. But the decision to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad in an attempt to manage his workload made sense after Rice had only three weeks off post-World Cup before returning to pre-season training. The 27-year-old has struggled with persistent back problems after suffering a hamstring injury last December and Mikel Arteta will hope that the rest has done Rice – who is thought to be close to agreeing a lucrative new contract at the Emirates – the world of good as they prepare to resume the defence of their Premier League title against Leeds on Saturday.
Ed Aarons Several Aston Villa players shone for their countries during the international window but one of those who stayed with the club may have made the biggest impression on Unai Emery. Villa’s remaining squad went to Spain for a mid-season training camp, including Alejandro Garnacho, whose last cap for Argentina was almost two years ago. Garnacho has been lesser-spotted in a Villa shirt, playing just 31 minutes as a substitute, but scored in both of Villa’s friendlies during the break, against Southampton and Sevilla.
The 22-year-old, who joined Villa on loan from Chelsea in the summer with a conditional obligation, was an unused substitute for their past matches but is he now primed to affect games? Villa are hopeful Emery has unlocked Garnacho, who has struggled for form since leaving Manchester United. Ben Fisher With Eli Junior Kroupi, Amine Adli, Veljko Milosavljevic and Julián Araujo yet to feature this season due to injury, Marco Rose must have been tearing his remaining hair out upon learning Alex Scott got hurt on England duty and will be out of action for two months.
Sitting 17th and still searching for their first league win, the German’s side squandered nine points from winning positions in four of their first five games – and it was the 23-year-old who was central in ensuring Bournemouth had those leads in the first place. With just 55 minutes of football behind him this season, it seems unlikely Alex Toth will get the nod to replace Scott when Bournemouth travel to Chelsea with the older, more experienced Ryan Christie available and in good form. But having forced his way into the Hungary starting lineup during the international break it would be no surprise to see the 20-year-old get more minutes with a view to being used far more often given his side’s gruelling schedule of nine matches in the next month.
Barry Glendenning Ipswich’s place in mid-table, their total of six points, came via victories over Sunderland and Crystal Palace. Gary O’Neil’s team were presented with a tough opening schedule, and while defeated by Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, their manager has not allowed those reverses to dilute team spirit. Speaking to the media following the home defeat by Liverpool, O’Neil painted an ultra-positive picture that defied most observers’ view of a game beyond his team’s reach from the early stages.
Thus far, a successful strategy, certainly by comparison to early season at winless Fulham. Like O’Neil, Álvaro Arbeloa is new to his job. An improved performance in the draw against United did not result in a victory Fulham deserved, though there were signs of the progressive, attacking football the arrival of the former Real Madrid interim promised.
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