Morgan Rogers has been selected to start for England in their World Cup qualifier against Serbia on Thursday. This decision follows recent comments from Thomas Tuchel, who suggested that Rogers and Jude Bellingham could not play together in the current formation at Wembley.
Rogers Over Bellingham for No. 10 Role
Rogers has been assigned the No. 10 position, while Bellingham finds himself on the bench for this key match. This marks Bellingham’s first call-up to the England squad since Tuchel raised concerns about his behavior last June.
Previously, Bellingham missed out on the international fixtures against Wales and Latvia to recover his fitness following shoulder surgery. Meanwhile, Rogers has taken advantage of his absence, demonstrating impressive performances.
England’s Starting Lineup Against Serbia
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
- Defenders: Reece James, John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly
- Midfielders: Lewis Anderson, Declan Rice
- Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane
For Serbia, the starting lineup includes Rajkovic, Mimovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic, Terzic, Gudelj, Lukic, Zivkovic, Ilic, Kostic, and Vlahovic.
Tuchel’s Remarks on Player Dynamics
Tuchel noted that Bellingham and Rogers are currently competing for the same position, acknowledging their friendship and respect for each other. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s current structure and suggested that they could play together under different circumstances.
Recent Statistics
| Player | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Rogers | 11 (Premier League) | 1 |
| Jude Bellingham | Varied (LaLiga) | 2 |
Rogers scored during England’s 3-0 friendly victory over Wales in October. Bellingham has also made an impact this season with two goals for Real Madrid since returning to full fitness.
