Rogers has been close to a "dead cert" for England since Tuchel's appointment at the start of the year, starting six of the German's first 10 games at the helm. He also benefitted from Bellingham's injury-enforced absence between August and October, starting behind Harry Kane in 5-0 away routs of Serbia and Latvia in World Cup qualifying, and a 3-0 friendly victory over Wales.
The West Brom academy graduate scored his first goal for England in the Wales game, producing a smart first-time finish from a tight angle, but his playmaking qualities shone through most against Serbia as he made five key passes, including an assist for Noni Madueke, and completed more dribbles than anyone else on the pitch. Even more crucially, he won Tuchel's trust while Bellingham was still making his way back to full fitness.
As a result, when Bellingham finally returned to the England fold in the November international break, he did not walk straight back into Tuchel's line up. Rogers was the first-choice No.10 once again for the Three Lions' 2-0 home win against Serbia, with Bellingham restricted to a 25-minute cameo at Wembley.
"Rather than finding the best players a position to just have them on the field, it’s maybe better to put everyone in their best position and have a competition. At the moment, the competition is between the two of them. They are friends so it can also be a friendly competition," Tuchel said before the game. "Can they play together? Yes, but in a different structure and at the moment it’s not the moment to change our structure."