Joe Cole praised Arsenal and Chelsea target Declan Rice as the ‘best player on the pitch by a mile’ after England beat Italy in their opening European Championship 2024 qualifying match.
West Ham midfielder Rice poked the England opener after 13 minutes in Naples before Harry Kane doubled the visitors’ lead with a penalty just before half-time.
Kane’s goal saw the Tottenham striker go England’s all-time record goalscorer, overtaking former record holder Wayne Rooney.
England were the dominant side in the first half, but after the break the tide began to turn and Italy got back into the game as Mateo Retegui fired past Jordan Pickford.
Italy felt a chance to grab a point when Luke Shaw was sent off for two yellow cards within two minutes, but England held on to jump-start their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a first win in Italy since 1961.
Cole described it as a ‘considerable victory’ for a Three Lions side more disappointed in the World Cup before Christmas when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up France.
The ex-England midfielder praised Rice, saying the West Ham star was ‘excellent from start to finish’.
Rice is expected to leave the Hammers at the end of the season and has done so attracted interest from Premier League leaders Arsenal and Champions League quarter-finalists Chelsea.
“Declan Rice was by far the best player on the pitch,” Cole said on Channel 4. “It was terrible defending in front of goal, but he lives for it.
“If it’s a centre-forward, we’re talking about instinct. He was excellent from start to finish.
“But I must say I am stunned by Italy’s defence. This is a country known for their defense, but it was unacceptable from Italy in that first half.
“Most defenders just switch off. But Rice deserves the credit because he takes it on as a centre-forward, he did very well there.’
On the win – England’s 50th under Gareth Southgate – Cole added: ‘It’s an important win. When you win like that, it means more. There’s nothing better than this feeling.’
England captain Kane, meanwhile, praised the Three Lions’ performance in Naples, saying it was ‘special’ to become the country’s record goalscorer.
“It is the first time in a long time that England has won in Italy,” said the Spurs striker. “To be a part of that is great.
“I want to say a big thank you to all my teammates, the staff, the fans, my family back home and my wife. Just a very special night for me and a night I will never forget. I’m just very proud.
“Thank you to everyone here and everyone who made this dream a reality.”
England will continue their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Sunday when they welcome Ukraine to Wembley.
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