Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham is set to begin England's crucial World Cup qualifier against Serbia on the bench, as manager Thomas Tuchel places his faith in Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers.
The highly anticipated team news comes after Bellingham's return to the squad, having missed the October internationals. Despite his formidable club form, the midfielder will not be in the starting XI for Thursday's match at Wembley.
Tuchel's Tactical Dilemma
Tuchel had previously warned that he could not accommodate all of his star attackers in one cohesive system. He specifically mentioned the challenge of fitting Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Phil Foden into the same lineup, indicating a preference for using Bellingham in a number ten role rather than a deeper midfield position.
For the visit of Serbia, however, that advanced playmaker role will be filled by Morgan Rogers. According to a report from The Athletic, Rogers is expected to continue in the position he has occupied for England's last three international fixtures.
The Aston Villa player scored his first senior international goal during the friendly victory over Wales, solidifying his claim for a starting spot.
Friendly Competition for a Single Spot
Tuchel addressed the direct competition between Bellingham and Rogers ahead of the match. He told reporters, "Rather than finding the best players a position to just have them on the field, it's maybe better to put everyone in their best position and have a competition."
He emphasised that the battle for the starting role is a healthy one. "At the moment, the competition is between the two of them. They are friends so it can also be a friendly competition," Tuchel added, dismissing any notion of animosity between the players.
The German coach was firm on his philosophy, stating that the collective team balance will always take precedence over individual talent. He explained that while Bellingham, Kane, and Foden could theoretically play together in a different tactical structure, now is not the time for such an experiment.
England's Qualifying Campaign
The match against Serbia is the first of two World Cup qualifiers for England during the November international break. The Three Lions have already secured their place at the 2026 World Cup, having won all six of their qualifying matches so far.
They now have an additional incentive: the chance to become the only nation in their five-team group to complete the European qualifying stage without conceding a single goal. Spain and Switzerland are also pursuing this defensive record in their respective four-team groups.
Following the Serbia game at Wembley, England will travel to Tirana to conclude their qualifying campaign against Albania. Albania currently holds a one-point advantage over Serbia in the battle for second place in the group, which would secure a spot in the play-offs.
Tuchel's decision to bench Bellingham signals a clear commitment to his tactical principles, even when it means making tough calls on world-class players.
