England’s Declan Rice can’t wait to face Germany and is a fan of Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller and Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos

International play always brings up some fascinating match-ups and for England midfielder Declan Rice, the opportunity to see Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller and Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos in person will be special.

“When there are the big games on and you are watching, you appreciate top footballers. Obviously that night I felt the need to say [what I did] about Muller and Toni Kroos,” said Rice (as captured by The Daily Mail) about a couple of tweets he made about the German duo. “I am relishing to go out there and put myself up against the best. It is England v Germany, round of 16, at Wembley, it is going to be proper, so I need to go out there and give a solid performance myself and as a team. Kroos is world class, other midfielders like me we want to test ourselves. But we need to impose game and be physical on him and stop him spraying it around the pitch.”

In recalling the tweets he made, Rice remembered Kroos fondly.

“I can’t remember what my tweet was actually but I woke up to (Kroos) saying ‘Thanks mate.’ It was a good moment to be fair and the lads at West Ham were giving me a bit [of stick] for it,” Rice said.

When he was asked if facing off with the likes of Kroos and Müller will make things even more heightened for him, Rice was honest: “Yes definitely, if you go back to the tweets, as well as the player I have always said I am a fan as well.”

As for England itself, Rice said the Three Lions will be ready.

“But everyone is ready, everyone wants to play against Germany, and if you aren’t playing you are disappointed, but you have to support the lads,” said Rice.