Thomas Tuchel has been urged by Alan Shearer to bench Jude Bellingham for England’s opening World Cup match later this month.
Tuchel’s team will play their first group match against Croatia on June 17 as the Three Lions wrap up their preparations for this summer’s World Cup.
England are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and will also play Ghana and Panama in Group L.
When selecting his World Cup team, Tuchel put harmony ahead of ability, but he still has some tough choices to make about his starting lineup going into the group stages.
Real Madrid midfielder, Bellingham and Aston Villa ace, Morgan Rogers seem to be the most likely to start behind Harry Kane at the World Cup.
Shearer Urges Tuchel To Start Rogers Ahead Of Bellingham
Shearer believes that Rogers has performed well enough this season to support Tuchel’s “bold choice” to start him in place of Bellingham.
“At the minute, Rogers has maybe just edged it,” Shearer told The Sun.
“I mean Bellingham’s had one or two injury problems and Rogers has been able to go in there and do very well.
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“So, I’d think it’ll be him that will start. And we’ll have to see what happens with Bellingham.
“Rogers has been fantastic. He’s a really, really talented guy. And he’s earned the right to go into a World Cup and hopefully do very, very well.
“I’m a big fan of his. I like the way he plays, I like his attitude and I hope he can do really, really well.
“I mean clearly, the XI that starts the first game is not going to be the XI that plays every game and right through the tournament.
“It’s going to be a full squad that plays and tries to navigate themselves the way through it, particularly in these conditions.”
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