Jamie Carragher has told talkSPORT that Jude Bellingham's big match performances have given him the edge to be England's number 10.
The Liverpool legend hailed the Real Madrid star as the Three Lions' best player when discussing his and Phil Foden's recall to the squad.
Carragher refereed to Bellingham as England's best player
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Carragher refereed to Bellingham as England's best playerCredit: Getty
Bellingham was the headline absentee from the October international break, having only just returned from shoulder surgery.
Foden, meanwhile, was brought back in by Thomas Tuchel for the first time since the German's first England camp in March.
The Manchester City star has long struggled to replicate the form he shows under Pep Guardiola at the international level.
Foden arrived at Euro 2024 as the reigning PFA Players' Player of the Year, but failed to register a goal or assistdespite starting all seven of England's games en route to their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final.
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His ex-City teammate Cole Palmer, who is currently injured, scored the Three Lions' equaliser in that game, assisted by Bellingham.
Carragher told talkSPORT that type of involvement is exactly the reason why Bellingham currently leads the race to start at No.10.
“I think probably what we've got now in that number 10 position is probably better than probably any position we've ever had strength in because Jude Bellingham is England's best player,” he told Sunday Edition.
“He plays for Real Madrid, he's won the Champions League. I think Phil Foden was Player of the Year a year ago in the Premier League, and Cole Palmer, in the last two or three years, what he's done is been one of the best players in Europe.
“He scored in a World Club Championship final against Paris Saint-Germain, the best team in the world.
“He scored in a Euro final for England. How do you get those players in?”
Bellingham, Palmer, and Foden are all options to start at No.10
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Bellingham, Palmer, and Foden are all options to start at No.10
Rogers was given the nod to play the role in the trio's absence last month
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Rogers was given the nod to play the role in the trio's absence last monthCredit: Getty
'Bellingham's done it for England in the biggest moments'
“But what I would say is about Phil Foden, who I absolutely love, and I was delighted to see him back to his best in midweek.
“I was at the game in Manchester, and so no matter what he does for Man City, has he done it for England? Now Bellingham's done it for England in the biggest moments in the tournaments, really.
“So that gives him probably a huge advantage over Phil at the moment in terms of playing in that number 10 role.”
In Friday's press conference, Tuchel made a telling admission over Elliot Anderson, who he labelled a 'regular starter' for his side.
The Nottingham Forest star was named Player of the Match in his first two England appearances and has already beenguaranteed a seat on the planeby talkSPORT'sAdrian Durham.
Graphic of Phil Foden stats for England.
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Foden is waiting to increase his England goal and assist tally
Bellingham will be one of England's most important assets for years to come
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Bellingham will be one of England's most important assets for years to comeCredit: Getty
Carragher added: “I haven't heard the press conference, but if Thomas Tuchel has mentioned Elliot Anderson as a starter, well, that means Jude Bellingham's got to be looking at the number 10 position.
“Morgan Rogers has got that right now, but I always thought maybe a fudge for a manager could be you drop Bellingham deeper, and you get one of those Foden or Cole Palmer in the team.
“It looks like it's Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice with players fighting for the number 10 position, which I think is fantastic.
“Thomas Tuchel, the way he's handled this the last few months, I think, is brilliant.
“He's sent a message to the biggest players in the squad, where they've now got maybe could feel like they've got a little point to prove, and he's also sent a message to the rest of the squad that if I can leave Jude Bellingham out or Phil Foden out, Trent Alexander-Arnold out, I can leave anyone out.
“So I think it puts everybody on their toes, and I think that's all something that we've all been crying out for for a long time.”
Elliot Anderson stats vs Latvia
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Anderson made his England debut in September but is already a key part of Tuchel's teamCredit: Getty
'Tough for Trent' but World Cup dream not over
Alexander-Arnold was another name missing from Tuchel's squad last week, having only returned from injury two days earlier.
The right-back was dropped from the fold in September, while a mixture of form and fitness have hampered his start to life at Madrid.
The ex-Liverpool vice-captain was even warned that his England career could be over because of the form of Reece James, who also flourished under Tuchel during their time together at Chelsea.
Carragher told talkSPORT: “I think it would be a slight worry for Trent because he's just got back fit.
Trent has not hit the ground running at Madrid
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Trent has not hit the ground running at MadridCredit: Getty
Carragher shared his worry for his fellow scouser
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Carragher shared his worry for his fellow scouserCredit: Getty
“I don't think it's the end of the road for him for England because I think Jude Bellingham was in a similar situation last month, where I think Thomas Tuchel mentioned that he'd only just come back fit, he'd just played a couple of games.
“So that just tells you like someone like Trent Alexander-Arnold, it's not over for him, there's still a long way to go.
“If he's playing week in week out for the biggest club in the world and playing well, I don't see how he can't go in some ways.
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“But there is huge competition in that position, as I mentioned before.
“So listen, I do think it'll be tough for Trent, I do, but if he can get back to his best, you know he'll give himself a great opportunity.”