Micah Richards has urged Thomas Tuchel to start Jude Bellingham at the World Cup, insisting he is the ‘best player’ in the England squad.
Bellingham appears to be competing with Morgan Rogers for a starting place in the Three Lions team, which is bidding to win their first World Cup in 60 years.
The Real Madrid midfielder was one of England’s best players at Euro 2024, most memorably scoring an injury-time overhead kick to save Sir Gareth Southgate’s side from an embarrassing exit at the hands of Slovakia.
Bellingham impressed during his first two seasons at the Bernabeu following a high-profile move from Borussia Dortmund, winning a stunning La Liga and Champions League double under Carlo Ancelotti.
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But the 22-year-old struggled with form and fitness last season, scoring just six league goals – his lowest return since the 2021-22 campaign.
Bellingham did, though, look somewhere near back to his best in England’s final World Cup warm-up game against Costa Rica on Wednesday night.
Rogers, in contrast, enjoyed another impressive season at Aston Villa as Unai Emery’s side qualified for the Champions League and won the Europa League.
The 23-year-old is expected to be a key member of Tuchel’s squad out in the United States and has emerged as a summer target for Premier League giants Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.
England legend Alan Shearer says he would pick Rogers over Bellingham if he was in Tuchel’s shoes but ex-Three Lions defender Richards passionately disagrees.
‘I would go with Morgan Rogers,’ Shearer said on The Rest is Football. ‘We’re going into a World Cup and we’re all pretty optimistic about how it’s going to go.
‘We’re pretty happy with how England have gone lately and Morgan Rogers has played a huge part in that. That’s why I think the manager will go with him and I’m more than happy if that is his decision.’
Responding to Shearer’s comments, Richards said: ‘In terms of big moments, Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid, Champions League winner – when England were down in other tournaments, he’s been the guy.
‘He’s had the personality to step up in big moments. I understand the point about Morgan Rogers and I could potentially see both of them in the team at times.
‘But as the main No. 10, there’s no doubt for me that it should be Jude Bellingham. You’ve got to put Jude in the team.
‘This is what frustrates me, we’ve got a genuine superstar in Jude Bellingham…it shouldn’t even be a debate.
‘He’s the best player and he has to start. He’s delivered, he’s delivered at the highest level so he has to start.’
Former England striker Gary Lineker added: ‘I would go with Micah on this one.
‘Just because I think Jude is a genuine superstar, and to win World Cups, I think you need someone that’s going to make a massive difference.’
England came desperately close to winning a major trophy under former manager Sir Gareth Southgate, reaching back-to-back European Championship finals and going deep in two World Cups.
They have been installed as one of the favourites to win this World Cup but Roy Keane doubts they will end 60 years of hurt.
‘England have got a lot of good players,’ the former Manchester United captain told Sky Bet’s The Overlap.
‘No doubt getting out of the group should be straightforward for them, you think they’ll compete if everything falls into place. Do I see England winning the World Cup? Absolutely not.
‘When I looked at the squad, and particularly defensively, I’m not convinced.
‘I just don’t see it come a crunch game in the quarter, the semi-finals, whether they’re chasing the game or defending it. It’s the centre halves that would be worrying me.’
Turning his attentions to his World Cup favourites, Keane added: ‘Over the last few days, I’ve been open-minded about Brazil and Spain because both have tremendous quality, but if I had to choose one team I’d go with France.
‘They have outstanding individual players throughout the squad. Of course, talent alone isn’t enough.
‘The manager still has to get everyone pulling in the same direction and working collectively. That’s often the biggest challenge with top international teams.
‘But I think France have one of the best managers when it comes to handling that balance, and because of their quality and experience I’d probably make them favourites.’
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