Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers was front and centre as England finally arrived under Thomas Tuchel with a stunning 5-0 win away at Serbia on Tuesday night, and he may have taken Jude Bellingham's spot in the team.
Rogers started as the number ten behind Harry Kane and alongside Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon in attack as the Three Lions extended their unbeaten run under their new manager with their 100% record in World Cup qualifying still intact.
The most recent victories came without several star players being available in the squad due to injury, with Real Madrid star Bellingham unavailable, as well as the likes of Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer not part of the team this time around.
But in their absence they may have been overtaken in the pecking order under Tuchel, with Rogers stepping up to the plate and proving he is more than ready to make a difference at the highest level.
Morgan Rogers a Better Pick Than Bellingham
England's Morgan Rogers in action with Serbia's Sasa Lukic and Serbia's Andrija Zivkovic
World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group K - Serbia v England - Stadion Rajko Mitic, Belgrade, Serbia - September 9, 2025 England's Morgan Rogers in action with Serbia's Sasa Lukic and Serbia's Andrija Zivkovic Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
During the Euro 2024 tournament, the big debate surrounding the England side was what the attack looked like behind Kane.
Gareth Southgate ignored calls for Palmer to be the starting number ten as he opted for Bellingham in the middle, with Foden and Saka either side of him. But the attacking play during the tournament left a lot to be desired, and questions have since been asked about how it can be improved.
With all those players absent, Aston Villa star Rogers stepped up to the plate and was able to stake his claim, and has arguably taken the shirt from now on.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a sensational season in the Premier League in 2024/25, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award, playing in the number ten role behind Ollie Watkins, and he registered 12 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
What he showed against Serbia was a willingness to get on the ball in tight situations, in a hostile environment and take responsibility to try and break down a sturdy defence, and while Bellingham is also capable of doing those things, Rogers is clearly a more natural number ten.
Bellingham's power and combative nature mean he could easily drop into a deeper role to play alongside Rogers and Declan Rice, and it means that there is extra quality in the side. Foden and Palmer have quality, but while the Chelsea star is yet to feature in a squad under Tuchel for several reasons and Foden has failed to shine on the international stage, this is Rogers' spot to lose now.
Bellingham's future in the England side isn't under any pressure or in doubt, there's a reason he was called a "superstar" by legendary England captain David Beckham, but it also shouldn't be in the number ten role while Rogers is available and performing like this.
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