Morgan Rogers had to settle for a place on the bench for England's World Cup opener against Croatia as Jude Bellingham, the player who started ahead of him, was on target in a 4-2 victory in Dallas.
Tuchel's Tough Decision
Thomas Tuchel loved Jude Bellingham's all-action display against Croatia - but he couldn't hide his sympathy for Morgan Rogers. The England boss said after his crunch call paid dividends: "The tough, tough decision today was to tell Morgan Rogers that he wouldn't start because he deserved to, 100 per cent."
Bellingham's contribution - plus their close friendship and the fact he actually attended Rogers' fifth birthday party - certainly softens the blow, though the 23-year-old knows there is no shame in being cast aside for the Real Madrid phenomenon.
Rogers' Reaction
When asked when he received confirmation he would start on the bench, Rogers confessed: “This morning, just before the game. Of course, I'm disappointed, I want to play every game. Everyone wants to play. Every sub would say the same thing.
“But Jude is one of the best players in the world, I know that. If we’re going to do well in this tournament, he’s going to have to be at the forefront of it."
The problem Rogers will now face in his quest for opportunities is that he's unlikely to figure in the same line-up as Bellingham - especially after substitute left-winger Marcus Rashford netted England's fourth. While the former is selfless enough to accept that he'll now have to show patience, he remains proud to be a part of it.
Proud to Contribute
Rogers continued: “I have to understand my role, that if I’m on the bench and the manager asks me to do a role and come on and impact the game, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m honoured to be here and I wanted to be here to play any part that I can to get on the pitch and to try to give my all and give my version of what that looks like as a player.
“I think that’s the most important thing, to try to add to the team in any way, shape or form to try to get wins. I’ve made my debut in a World Cup, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of and always wanted to achieve. It’s a really nice feeling to get on the pitch and contribute any way I can. I wish I could take it in. I probably took it in more when I was on the bench than when you’re playing and when you’re trying to push to get a winner."
World Cup Observations
England have had to endure a gruelling wait to kickstart their tournament and for that reason, their Kansas City training base has lacked an element of World Cup fever. Watching games, for players that require significant rest and sleep has proven complex but Rogers has picked out two nations that have seriously impressed him.
He explained: “I think the games have been quite competitive, quite tight. I think the games I’ve watched were Argentina with [Lionel] Messi doing what he does but I don’t watch too many games with the time difference and always travelling and training. We’ve been focusing on ourselves. But I think it’s been a really close World Cup so far, it’s been tightly-contested games. Germany is another one that sticks in my mind. All the big teams are always going to impress early on, it’s about who can be consistent as we go on."
