Morgan Rogers claims he and Jude Bellingham have 'different qualities' and can thrive playing together as England look to regain World Cup spark

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Morgan Rogers believes he and close friend Jude Bellingham could "100%" thrive together in England's starting XI, insisting there is no reason the pair cannot complement one another despite competing for the same role.

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Thomas Tuchel picked Bellingham as England's No. 10 in their opening two FIFA World Cup group matches after favouring Rogers in the position throughout much of the pre-tournament build-up.

That selection reignited debate over who should orchestrate England's attack, but Rogers dismissed the idea that it has to be one or the other.

The discussion evokes memories of England's so-called "golden generation", when one of the defining talking points was whether Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard could successfully coexist in the same midfield.

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Rogers, however, believes modern football is far more fluid, telling ITV he is convinced that he and Bellingham have the qualities to flourish alongside each other rather than compete for a single place.

"Yeah, 100%," said the 24-year-old, who was born within five miles of Bellingham in Halesowen - they played against each other or as team-mates in junior football before progressing through England's youth teams together.

"I think we have different qualities. Obviously, there are a lot of similarities, but I think there are a lot of differences in our games.

"The connection of understanding each other's games as well as anyone, because we've known each other so long, I think that's another key aspect that can be really important and really beneficial in the World Cup."

So could it be that Rogers operates out wide in place of Anthony Gordon?

At Villa, manager Unai Emery has regularly used him from the left, but rarely as a conventional winger.

Instead, the former Middlesbrough player drifted into the left half-space, carrying the ball infield and linking play between midfield and attack, while Villa's left-back provided the width.

As the season progressed, Rogers featured more frequently as a central attacking midfielder or second striker, but Emery continued to deploy him off the left when the tactical setup required it.

Morgan Rogers is waiting for his first World Cup start

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His versatility and ability to drive through the inside channel made him an effective option across Villa's front line rather than a fixed wide player.

His starting position on the flank was simply a platform to influence central areas, but Tuchel has yet to explore this option at international level.

Some of the criticism levelled at the England boss following the anaemic 0-0 draw with Ghana in Boston on Tuesday was that his substitutions off the bench were like-for-like replacements, meaning the profile of the side changed little as a result of the alterations.

Having not started in either of England's games so far, Rogers is eager to prove that he can have a positive impact on the side by securing top spot in Group L against Panama on Saturday.

Rogers was integral to Villa's Europa League triumph last season

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"Expect is the wrong word. Hopeful, optimistic," he said about his game time so far.

"Disappointment, of course, I'm disappointed. I want to play every game. I want to show what I'm about and show it on the biggest stage.

"But understanding as well. I know it's a team, in a squad role, and there are plenty of games."

But would Bellingham starting at his expense make it more palatable than if it were someone else?

"Great question. Easier or harder?" he mused. "Easier because I want him to do well, and it's because it's him, everything's fine.

"This is really nice, I think coming full circle [from their junior days], where we started to where we've ended up now, his path, my path, and how we've ended up at the same point, representing our country. It's just a really nice feeling."

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