The latest international camp for England national football team has delivered a twist few saw coming: Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are locked in a “direct competition” for the attacking-midfield (No. 10) spot in his squad. The German coach, who prefers to keep his tactical framework stable, made it clear the role is up for grabs and that he won’t radically reshape the system just to accommodate both players.

“It’s a Friendly Competition, Not a War”

“More than trying to fit all the best players on the pitch, I’d rather each one plays where they’re best and competition exists,” Tuchel explained in his press conference.
He underscored that while Bellingham remains central to England’s plans, Rogers’ meteoric rise has created a dilemma over who occupies the creator role:

“At the moment the competition is between the two… they are friends, so it can be friendly. But they fight for the same position.”

Rogers, who impressed in recent qualifiers, has emerged as a real challenger rather than just a backup — which shifts the narrative from “Bellingham vs. the world” to “Bellingham vs. Rogers.”

What’s at Stake in the No. 10 Role?

Tuchel didn’t rule out the possibility of Bellingham and Rogers playing together, but only in a different structure:

“Can they play together? Yes. But not in the same position in our current structure — right now is not the time to change it.”
He emphasized that England currently deploy a clear tactical setup (6-8-10-9) and filling the No. 10 spot will require sacrifice, sacrifice of comfort and possibly even of established status.

For Bellingham, that means his place isn’t guaranteed — even though he returned to the squad after a spell out. In fact, Tuchel has warned him “you have to fight” for his spot in the 2026 World Cup squad.

Tuchel Praises Bellingham’s Energy

“It has been good to have him back,” Tuchel said of the Real Madrid midfielder, praising his positive attitude upon returning to camp. “The atmosphere is good, everyone’s happy to be here, and the energy in training is exactly what we want.”

Although Tuchel acknowledged that Bellingham has “a slight edge” in the race for the No. 10 role, he also emphasized that Rogers’ recent form has raised the internal standard and pushed everyone to work harder.

England’s Eyes on 2026

England will face Serbia this Thursday in their final international match of 2025, aiming to refine their style and consolidate their core ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The battle for the No. 10 shirt promises to be one of the most compelling storylines heading into 2026 — two generations, one goal, and a manager unafraid to remind his squad that under his watch, no one’s place is guaranteed.