Rogers replaced Bellingham in that contest and has been catching the eye at club level with Premier League high-fliers Villa. He has five goals and as many assists to his name this season, while Bellingham has recorded four efforts in each of those departments for Real.
Ex-England defender Phil Jones has told Sports Illustrated FC of why Rogers deserves to be selected ahead of a ‘Galactico’ from Santiago Bernabeu: “He would be my number 10 in the World Cup. I know it’s an unpopular decision, and I know he probably won’t because Jude Bellingham is at Real Madrid. Hopefully that doesn’t influence it, but I’m doubling down on it.
“I think [Rogers] has been the player who I’ve enjoyed watching the most over the last six months. I’ve really, really enjoyed his performance. I love the way he plays, I love his character, I love the way he handles himself on the pitch.
“He’s powerful, he’s quick, he’s strong, he scores goals left foot, right foot. I think he’s more powerful than Bellingham. I think at the minute he’s scoring more goals than Jude Bellingham. He’s having more of an influence on the game than Jude Bellingham.
“Listen, I love Jude Bellingham. I’d give my right arm to have been the player he is, so I’m not disputing that. But I just love the way [Rogers] is playing at the minute. If he carries on playing the way he’s playing and, touch wood, he doesn’t get injured, I can’t understand how he wouldn’t start for England in the World Cup. I can’t understand it.”
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