England boss Thomas Tuchel stated that Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham can’t both play in the current system.
In the build up to the Three Lions’ welcome of Serbia, the German spoke candidly about the pair.
“Can they play together? Yes, but in a different structure,” Tuchel said on Wednesday.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Bellingham returned to the England setup this month after a period of time away from the Three Lions. The 22-year-old underwent shoulder surgery over the summer, so his absence in September and October was understandable. However, it’s impossible to routinely overlook a player of Bellingham’s calibre.
The issue is that in Bellingham’s absence, others have come to the fore. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson looks to be Tuchel’s preference for the midfield partnership. Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane have their positions sewn up. Anthony Gordon – when fit – is expected to edge Marcus Rashford on the left. The question mark – if there was one – is who plays in the No.10 role.
Rogers had role sewn up
If Tuchel’s selection against Serbia is anything to go by, Rogers has the spot nailed down. The 23-year-old had registered the fourth-most minutes of action by outfielders in qualifying (359) ahead of Thursday’s match at Wembley. He’d also completed more take-ons (13) than any other England player in World Cup qualifying.
However, even as Tuchel went for an incredibly strong XI, Rogers put in a performance that left little to the imagination. The 23-year-old won’t remember the showing with great fondness. A slip for a shot after some neat link up play with Rashford in the 56th minute effectively summed his night up.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
England went ahead through a well-taken Saka strike midway through the first half. Declan Rice’s free-kick was bizarrely punched away by Predrag Rajkovic. The ball landed at Nico O’Reilly’s feet, and his low drive spun up and away to Saka. The Gunners star placed his left-footed effort perfectly past Rajkovic into the far corner. Teammate Eberechi Eze wrapped up the victory with a fine, well-taken effort late on shortly after the Serbia shotstopper turned the Arsenal man’s shot onto the bar.
In truth, it was a match that England didn’t need to get out of second gear for. Qualification was already guaranteed ahead of the game and, for the most part, Tuchel has his England XI for the World Cup decided already. So, when Rogers’ number went up halfway through the second half, it raised more questions.
Simply put, Rogers was poor against Serbia. The slick Wembley surface won’t have helped the Aston Villa man, but even so; he struggled. Indeed, Rogers created one chance, made one tackle and didn’t complete a dribble.
Bellingham shines in second-half cameo
Bellingham was the man to replace Rogers in the 65th minute, while the introductions of Eze and Phil Foden added some zip to the England attack. These were players who will have watched Rogers struggle and feel they have a chance of locking down a starting spot for the Three Lions.
Admittedly it’s easier to play against a tiring defence, yet Bellingham’s cameo presented the England boss with a selection conundrum. The fact is, England looked a little more cohesive when Bellingham was introduced. The Real Madrid man completed more accurate passes in 25 minutes (24) than Rogers managed in 65 (16). England were able to easily play their way around the Serbia press.
The build up for Eze’s late strike further highlighted the need for Bellingham to start next summer. He dropped deep to win the ball off Strahinja Pavlovic and immediately set England on the front foot. Bellingham found Foden, Foden found Eze, who in turn found the top corner. This tenacity and distribution could ultimately prove key in North America next summer.
That’s not to say Rogers doesn’t deserve a spot in the squad. His driving ability will work wonders against tiring defences next summer. And while it’s impossible to use a dead-rubber of a fixture to really determine how a player will fare at the World Cup, Bellingham gave a timely reminder why he so often starts for the Three Lions.
Prior to tonight, Tuchel had maybe one or two question marks over who should start next summer. Bellingham’s cameo combined with Rogers’ sub-par showing gives the England boss unexpected food for thought over his number 10 in the 4-2-3-1 setup.