Jude Bellingham told he faces 'battle' for England starting place

Thomas Tuchel has warned Jude Bellingham he has a battle on his hands to secure an England starting place in next week’s World Cup opener.

Bellingham is fighting with fellow Black Country star and childhood pal Morgan Rogers to get the nod when the Three Lions open their tournament against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17.

Villa’s Rogers, from Halesowen, was the only player to feature in all eight of England’s qualifying matches.

Real Madrid ace Bellingham, from Stourbridge, played in only four but did impress Tuchel during Saturday’s 1-0 warm-up win over New Zealand.

The England boss said the 22-year-old was among “14 or 15” potential starters for the opener.

Asked directly if he faced a battle to make the team, Tuchel replied: "Yes, he has.

"He is one of the starters, he knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters.

“These roles can always change, but at the moment I think there are like 14 or 15 proper starters and Jude is one of them."

Bellingham and Rogers have been friends since lining up against each other in junior football.

Tuchel, speaking about competition for places, said it was important players put the “brotherhood” of the squad first.

"I think the players want to impress and they want to impress me. That's why we selected this group," he said.

"I feel they do it in a very complicit way. That's the spirit that we want to have and the spirit that we will need throughout the tournament.

"We don't want to have guys on the bench who are thinking 'he is doing bad, so I may have a chance'.

“So I don't think that they think that they play against each other, but they are happy to push. I think they can put it into perspective.

“They know that they haven't played together in some of them since November. Some of them come from holiday, restart the engines. Put it into perspective - everything is fine."

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville reckons it is Bellingham who should start ahead of Rogers against Croatia.

Speaking to the Telegraph, the former Manchester United and England right-back explained: “I love Morgan Rogers – love him.

“But, let’s be clear, Jude Bellingham is not a sub. He’s not a sub, he’s a star. That’s it. He’s a star.”