England head coach Thomas Tuchel has issued a firm warning to Jude Bellingham, reminding the Real Madrid sensation that his place in the starting lineup for the national team is far from guaranteed. Despite being one of the most gifted players in world football, Bellingham finds himself in direct competition with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers for the prestigious No.10 position as the World Cup approaches.

Tuchel emphasises squad competition

Tuchel has made it plain that reputation or star status will not be enough to secure a starting role in his World Cup lineup. While Bellingham continues to be central to England’s long-term plans, the German manager has underscored that he sees up to 15 players as being of starting calibre, meaning the 22-year-old must continue to prove his worth on the pitch.

When asked if Bellingham was facing a real battle for a starting spot, Tuchel responded: “Yes, he is. He’s one of the starters — he knows that — but we have 14 or 15 potential starters. These roles are always fluid, but currently, I believe there are 14 or 15 genuine starters, and Jude is one of them.”

Morgan Rogers emerges as key rival

Bellingham’s strongest competitor for the attacking midfield berth is Morgan Rogers, who has become a trusted figure under Tuchel. The Aston Villa player has featured in 12 of the 13 matches Tuchel has overseen, and notably, he appeared in every one of England’s eight World Cup qualifying fixtures — highlighting his growing importance in the manager’s tactical setup.

Since Tuchel’s appointment in January 2025, Bellingham’s involvement has been less consistent. The former Borussia Dortmund star has started only four matches and made three substitute appearances under the new boss. This marks a significant change from Euro 2024, when under Gareth Southgate, Bellingham missed just 29 minutes across seven games.

A complex manager-player dynamic

The relationship between Tuchel and Bellingham has occasionally been strained. Tuchel once described Bellingham’s behaviour during a defeat to Senegal as “repulsive” — a comment for which he later apologised. Further friction surfaced in November when the coach promised to “review” Bellingham’s conduct after the midfielder reacted visibly to being substituted in a qualifier against Albania.

Injuries have also disrupted Bellingham’s rhythm. A shoulder injury forced him out of several qualifying matches, and he was not selected for the October international break. Nevertheless, Tuchel commended Bellingham’s performance in England’s recent warm-up win against New Zealand in Tampa, where he captained the side after being introduced at half-time.

“You can see Jude has that decisiveness and edge,” Tuchel said following the 1-0 victory. “That’s his trademark quality, but it’s also clear he’s coming back from injury — full of energy and eager to play again. Unfortunately, he missed crucial parts of the season, including the Champions League run and Real Madrid’s title push in Spain, which was tough for both him and the club.”

Building momentum ahead of the World Cup

Whether Bellingham has done enough to cement his place among Tuchel’s “14 or 15 starters” remains to be seen. With the World Cup drawing near, Tuchel believes the midfielder is hitting top form at just the right moment. “You can see now that he’s in a really good place,” the England boss added. “He’s come back fresh, he’s hungry to play, and he’s looking in great shape.”