Harry Maguire has delivered his verdict on the Jude Bellingham versus Morgan Rogers debate, urging Thomas Tuchel to select Bellingham for England's World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday at 9pm BST.
Maguire Backs Bellingham
Snubbed England star Harry Maguire believes Thomas Tuchel must select Jude Bellingham for the Three Lions' World Cup opener against Croatia. Tuchel's squad are aiming to become the first England men's team to claim a major honour since 1966. England find themselves in Group L for the tournament across North America, with fixtures against Ghana and Panama following Wednesday's encounter in Texas.
One of the most hotly contested selection dilemmas ahead of the Croatia clash has been whether Bellingham or Morgan Rogers should occupy the number 10 position in Tuchel's starting XI. This follows recent scrutiny of Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham's displays in an England shirt. The 22-year-old has hit back at his critics, previously stating he had been made a "scapegoat" within the camp.
Maguire, who was excluded from the Three Lions' squad for this summer's tournament, has backed Bellingham emphatically, arguing that the former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund midfielder is essential to the side.
Maguire's Verdict
Speaking on Gary Lineker's The Rest is Football Netflix show, Maguire said: "Jude's gotta play. You can fit Morgan [Rogers] in elsewhere, because he's had a brilliant season, he can play left, he can play right. He's gonna make a massive difference to the team when he comes off the bench. But Jude's gotta play in that team, because tournaments are decided on moments, and Jude creates moments, and he creates moments himself. I always say the big games, they're decided on split seconds, and I think we've seen last tournament in the Euros. We'd have been out against Slovakia if it weren't for Jude, so he's gonna be there, he's gonna be ready. I expect a big tournament."
Maguire's Omission
Maguire revealed on Tuesday that Tuchel broke the news to him and other overlooked England stars via FaceTime. The Manchester United centre-back also admitted to having "had words" with the Three Lions boss following the decision.
The 33-year-old said: "It was a surprise. I said straight away it was a surprise. I was really disappointed, and I thought I did enough to be in the squad and help the lads out there. I thought I still had a part to play on the pitch and off the pitch. I was disappointed at the time, but the manager has made his decision, and he's gone with the 26. It's part of football and I'll move on quickly from it.
"He speaks to everyone to be fair. He FaceTimes everyone, so it's quite an awkward call. I received a text around nine or ten o'clock in the morning just saying 'can I speak to you today at 4 o'clock?' I think Kobbie received the same text, Luke [Shaw] as well. He FaceTimes everybody and it's quite a unique way to do it. It's probably harder for himself to see our reactions and things like that.
"He really said he can't give me an excuse but that he's gone with the four lads that got him through the qualifying in the autumn camps. He felt like they did well during those six games but he did say that he can't really give me an excuse. Listen, that's football. It was tough to take and I did think I was going to be in the squad after the March camp and being selected for the first time under him. I felt I did well in both of the games and then went back to Manchester United and finished the season strong. I thought I did enough to be in the squad but like I said, he's made that decision. He's gone with the squad and it's a strong squad."
Maguire added: "I was shocked more than anything, we had a few words. I'm quite a big personality, I'm experienced but I think it was an honest conversation between us both. I was really disappointed. I wanted to go to the World Cup and play. I'm 33 now, 37 at the next World Cup looks far away. I wanted to go, not just play but I told the manager I wasn't demanding that I start the games. I would have been happy playing one minute as long as I was there with the lads. It was disappointing."
