Rob Dorsett, a Sky Sports News reporter, believes that Bellingham's performance in England's 4-2 victory over Croatia settled the debate surrounding the team's number 10 for most fans; Bellingham started and scored in the match, while Morgan Rodgers came on as a substitute. But Tuchel disagrees, viewing both players as equally important.
The reporter stated that for many, the debate over who should play England's number 10 at this FIFA World Cup has been settled, with Bellingham delivering a flawless performance against Croatia. The Real Madrid player excelled at both ends of the pitch in the opening group stage match in Dallas. In the second half, he scored the decisive third goal through a solo run that showcased his work rate, desire to win, and elite individual ability.
England struggled in the first half, and it was this Real Madrid star who carried the team, single-handedly raising the intensity of play. Tuchel had just finished his halftime tactical instructions, demanding greater aggression, fighting spirit, and attacking freedom. Less than two minutes into the second half, Bellingham delivered exactly what the coach wanted. He won the ball and surged forward, slotting it into the net with the ball striking the inside of the far post.
Gary Neville said after the 4-2 victory in Dallas: "Frankly, Bellingham shouldn't be a substitute; he's a core player for this team, plain and simple." Five-time Champions League winner Toni Kroos commented: "He can develop into an exceptionally well-rounded player, the best in his position; he has all the qualities needed for elite football." Rio Ferdinand added: "In crucial moments at major tournaments, only Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane command universal attention."
However, the crucial point is that these are commentators' assessments, not the England coach's perspective. Notably, Tuchel's evaluation of Bellingham's performance was measured, fueling speculation that Bellingham is not the undisputed first choice for the number 10.
Tuchel did praise Bellingham: "You can absolutely rely on Bellingham in high-pressure games; he thrives in intense duels, and pressure unlocks his full potential." Yet this praise falls short of the glowing terms he used for Harry Kane. He said of Kane: "His performance was immaculate throughout—an absolute leader. He was fully engaged, in peak physical and mental condition, with an intense desire to win, leading by example."
While Kane's performance was certainly impressive, most observers felt he and Bellingham performed similarly, so why did the coach's tone differ so markedly when evaluating the two?
At the post-match press conference, when asked about Bellingham's performance, Tuchel unprompted steered the conversation toward Morgan Rodgers. This is the most telling moment. "It was an easy decision to play Bellingham and trust him," he continued. "The really difficult decision was telling Morgan Rodgers he couldn't start; he completely deserved a starting spot and has given everything for the team and for me during this period."
From this, it's clear that even as everyone praised Bellingham's stunning display, Tuchel proactively highlighted Rodgers. This sends the clearest signal: at this FIFA World Cup, Rodgers, like the La Liga star, is indispensable under Tuchel.
To understand why, one must grasp Tuchel's coaching philosophy. He never prioritizes player reputation; he focuses solely on what a player contributes to the team, whether their personality fits the culture, and if they align with the tactical plan.
When Tuchel gave Bellingham his strongest praise after the Croatia match, he didn't mention individual highlights or goals, but rather his willingness to embrace tactical discipline. "Over the past 17 days, he has fully committed to team first, unity, and adapted to our playing style, even though this position differs from his role at Real Madrid—that's commendable."
During his 18 months leading England, Tuchel frequently worked with Bellingham, motivating his development through constructive, sometimes blunt criticism. He has been refining this player's on-field style. A year ago, Tuchel explicitly stated that even Bellingham's mother sometimes objected to his on-field conduct. Though he later apologized for the remark, saying it was easily misunderstood, the comment revealed his view that the midfielder needed to adjust his demeanor.
Bellingham and Rodgers possess distinctly different playing styles and bring contrasting tactical value to England, taking on differentiated roles while enriching the team's attacking through dual approaches. Bellingham's play is elegant and dynamic—confident and assertive in possession, daring to take on defenders and drive attacks, with a distinctive individual style and the elite ability to break down defenses single-handedly.
Rodgers operates with entirely different logic; his standout strength is empowering teammates to maximize collective performance. While Bellingham creates attacking opportunities through exceptional individual ability, Rodgers activates the entire attacking line through intelligent movement and positioning, enabling all teammates to perform at their peak. He relies on constant, selfless off-ball running combined with precise spatial awareness to energize the team's attacking flow and connect all attacking phases from front to back.
Throughout his tenure as England coach, Tuchel consistently emphasized attacking principles—demanding penetrating through-passes that break down compact defenses and constantly seeking openings to maintain pressure. Rodgers, during his time at Aston Villa, has consistently executed this philosophy, with his on-field performances always aligning with tactical demands.
Compared to Bellingham, Rodgers' attacking approach is more direct and efficient, without unnecessary dribbling. Bellingham plays for Real Madrid, where several stars favor lateral passing to maintain possession, resulting in slower attacking rhythm and reduced forward progression efficiency.
In Tuchel's tactical assessment, Rodgers' coordination with established starters Harry Kane and Declan Rice would be smoother and more intuitive. The three players' movement patterns and passing rhythms align perfectly, forming a stable and highly effective core attacking partnership.
Data shows Kane and Bellingham have played together 38 times, scoring only once from open play. Rodgers, meanwhile, possesses excellent game-reading ability; when paired with Rice, he can drift to the right flank, allowing the Arsenal midfielder to move to his preferred left-sided attacking position. Rodgers can also frequently operate as a false nine, directly easing attacking pressure on Kane or allowing the captain to drop deep to control tempo. All of this fits Tuchel's system.
Everyone marvels at Bellingham's stunning display and sings his praises—a chorus destined to dominate this FIFA World Cup. However, we cannot overlook that this childhood friend and competitor for the number 10 shirt is equally vital to England's World Cup campaign.