Tuchel's World Cup No.10 Puzzle: Can Rogers Hold Off Bellingham, Palmer and the Pack?

Picture this: it's June 17 in Dallas, the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, and England face Croatia in their opener. Thomas Tuchel, the man tasked with finally cracking that 60-year trophy drought, has a proper head-scratcher on his hands. Who's wearing the No.10 shirt behind Harry Kane?

Forget the old gripes about Gareth Southgate's pet projects – Tuchel's been all about form over fame. Blokes like Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Elliot Anderson have been glued to his teamsheet, delivering a flawless eight wins from eight in qualifying without a single goal shipped. No wonder the bookies have England at 11/2 to lift the trophy in North America, just behind Spain at 9/2.

But now Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are back firing at Man Utd, and Jude Bellingham's shaking off his niggles. Does Tuchel stick or twist? The No.10 role – that creative spark in the hole – is the hot topic.

Form Star or Big-Name Maverick?

Morgan Rogers has been Tuchel's go-to lad, bossing it at Aston Villa with double figures in goals and assists to chase a top-four spot. Sure, his England haul's modest – a couple of goal contributions in ten caps – but the gaffer's hooked. He's started four of the last five internationals, even bumping Bellingham wide.

What sets Rogers apart? He's a pressing machine, carries like a beast, and never stops grafting. Compared to the flashier options, he brings the full package: off-ball hustle plus end product. If Tuchel wants reliability against Croatia, the Villa kid's the safe bet – and probably the punter's pick to start.

Enter Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid phenom who's basically England's cheat code. Yeah, he's had a bumpy year with form and fitness, but leave him out? Blimey, that's bold. Remember his Euro 2024 heroics? Smashing winner vs Serbia, that bicycle kick vs Slovakia in the dying seconds. The lad lives for clutch moments – can Rogers match that World Cup swagger?

The Magic Men Queueing Up

Cole Palmer's the ice-cold genius England can't bench. Chelsea's cool customer dished the assist for Ollie Watkins' Euro semi stunner against the Dutch, levelled the final vs Spain, and bagged a brace in the Club World Cup final at the same stadium as this World Cup decider. Injuries have dogged him, but when he clicks, he's pure sorcery. Does that trump Rogers' grit?

Don't sleep on Eberechi Eze, now tearing it up at Arsenal after dodging Tottenham. Eight goals, six assists in the Champions League spotlight, plus a five-goal demolition of Spurs across two games. Unplayable on his day, but that starting spot vs Croatia? Feels like impact sub territory.

Then there's Phil Foden, the ghost who used to haunt Europe. City man's got the tournament nous – drifting into gaps, conjuring the impossible. But two years of fade means Tuchel's got a tough sell picking him over the rest. Form's king, right?

Friendlies and Squad Drama Incoming

Tuchel's got March friendlies vs Uruguay and Japan to tinker, with the squad drop expected imminently. Eyes peeled – will Foden get a lifeline, or is Rogers locked in? Maguire and Shaw's resurgence adds spice, but that No.10 call could define England's tilt at glory.

Tuchel's built a machine on merit, not mates. Dropping the form horses for superstars risks it all. Yet in a World Cup, one Bellingham wondergoal changes everything. What's it to be, gaffer? Stick to the script, or roll the dice? Pub debates are raging – what's your shout?