/ 14 January 2026

10 Minutes With… Declan Rice

Declan Rice is at the heart of a dominant Arsenal side and an England team that has raised the nation's hopes for this summer’s World Cup. And then there’s his phenomenal wave of hair. In the wake of his new L’Oréal partnership, we spoke to Declan about golf, Gerrard, and how self-care is an elite mentality…

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@DeclanRice

What’s the most underrated skill you need as a Premier League footballer?

Being consistent every week. Playing in the hardest league in the world, to be at a 7 or 8 out of 10 every week is so hard to do. You're playing against the best players, and each team poses a different challenge. If you have consistency in your game, that's what sets you apart.

Do you have a routine you rely on during the season?

I ensure that I'm as professional as possible and keep myself focused. Playing for Arsenal, the stakes are so high. We're in every competition to win, so I need to ensure I'm living my life right so I can perform the best on the pitch. I know my responsibilities, especially with this manager. He's on us to live our lives right and to do everything we can away from a pitch because there are games every three days. You need to be mentally and physically prepared.

You might not win in your first or second season, but things can start flooding in if you stick to the same principles and keep to the same habits.

Has your approach to personal style changed as your profile in the sport has grown?

Yeah, I used to dress terribly. Everyone did. I see photos of myself back in the day. I don't know what I was going through sometimes. Now I'm just more chilled, more subtle and plain. I keep it easy. We're not a flash group; we just keep it simple.

What are some of your favourite clothing brands right now?

I love streetwear brands, but also Uniqlo and Zara. I used to buy something expensive, look at it, and think, ‘You could get the same in Uniqlo or Zara for half the price.’ It's just about being smart, and realising you don't have to be out there to dress smart.

What are your passions or hobbies outside football?

I love my golf. I've been playing for five or six years, and it’s something I love to do with friends, my dad and my brothers. It gets you away from football. I love watching it, I love the mental side of it, and I’m so lucky that I get to play on some of the best courses. I play with Christian Nørgaard now – we used to have a bigger golf group, but not anymore. In England, there's a big golf group. Rory McIlroy is the best. When I saw him do the Grand Slam, there was a sense of witnessing greatness.

@DeclanRice

Are there similarities between football and golf on the mental side?

Definitely. McIlroy has had to persevere so much, go through so much, to then win. I think in football it's the same. You might not win in your first or second season, but things can start flooding in if you stick to the same principles and keep to the same habits. There's a lot to take from that.

What’s your handicap?

6.8.

Tell us about the one midfielder in history who’s had the most impact on you…

Probably Gerrard. He was an all-action midfielder; he could do everything. I see a lot of similarities in myself (not saying I am Gerrard, because he really was the best), but just in terms of how he could defend, attack, get down the pitch, tackle, and be a leader. So much of his game I loved and, yeah, I think it's something I drew a lot of inspiration from. But there were so many England players who were unreal when I was growing up. I used to watch Joe Cole because I loved his flair, and Lampard's arrival in the box. But I think as I get older, Gerrard’s all-round game was just incredible.

And your own favourite piece of skill?

Just a drop of the shoulder. When you receive it, you drop your shoulder and go the other way. It's not a fancy skill, but I know it's effective, and that's the main thing.

Any performance supplements or nutritional tips you swear by?

I don't really take a lot, just natural gels and drinks to keep myself ready. I don't think you want too much caffeine, because then you have a big drop off in energy. You want to keep it at a good level.

What TV series are you into right now?

Prison Break is my favourite of all time. I’ve watched it so many times. But generally, I’d rather just sleep on the coach than watch something.

@DeclanRice; pexels/kawerodriguess; pexels/spencphoto

I don’t know how that would go down. I think I’d become a meme again.

Favourite film?

The Shawshank Redemption or The Wolf of Wall Street.

Go-to hair product?

Something that keeps my hair up because, at the moment, it just flops everywhere.

Almost at the headband stage?

No, I don’t know how that would go down. I think I’d become a meme again.

If you’re going out for dinner tonight, what are you wearing?

I’d have a fight with my wardrobe for about half an hour. Probably just a nice jacket, nothing too fancy.

Go-to fragrance?

Even the manager was asking me about it the other day, but I want to keep it quiet.

Death-row meal?

A big barbecue rack of ribs, chips, mayonnaise, and a brownie to finish.

And the moment you’re most proud of so far?

As a kid, when you decide you want to become a footballer, making your debut is a proud moment. Then, playing for England. Playing at a World Cup. Scoring my first goal. Signing for Arsenal. There are so many. But if I had to say one, I would probably say my England debut. It was the 60th minute, Czech Republic at Wembley, and it was nice because we were 3-0 up, so there wasn't a lot of pressure. I could come on and just enjoy myself. It's flown by, because now I'm nearly at 80 caps, but I think that's definitely my proudest moment.

Follow @DeclanRice

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