‘It’s obvious Tuchel likes him’ – Crouch says Rogers could start for England at the World Cup
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Rogers has 12 caps for his country and one goal, while Real Madrid star Bellingham has 46 appearances and six goals.
Crouch said: “I think he’s instrumental in what Aston Villa do. The way he drives, the way he can go past people, he can shoot, he can get goals, he creates and makes things happen.
“At the moment, I think he has the opportunity to potentially start for England at the World Cup. I feel like the shirt is his. Obviously Cole Palmer has to come back into it, Phil Foden’s form is good as well, but at the moment he’s playing so well.
“He just opens his left-hand side and goes past people, but he can do it in central areas as well. I think that’s what makes things happen. He’s got a little bit of everything, he probably just needs to add a few more goals to his game.
“We’ve got so much talent in that area. But the way he’s playing at the moment, and I think it’s obvious that Tuchel definitely likes him as a player, he’s got to just continue what he’s doing.”
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‘We need more’ from Rogers – Keown
Keown was similarly impressed, but he thought Bellingham would get the nod ahead of him.
The former Arsenal defender suggested that Rogers might need to add more goals to his game to be more likely to start for Tuchel in North America.
He explained: “The confidence that he must have, he exudes confidence. Look at the ability he has. When it really comes to it, I think Bellingham will play, but it’s no reflection on this young man and what he’s done certainly in an England shirt.
“I would look at his numbers now, 90 games, so you’ve arrived. 20 goals, we probably need more. And that’s something they’ll probably be looking at right now – only three goals this season, 14 goals last season.
“But he’s a player and he can pick people. He can play off the left, he can play from the front, so he’s got that flexibility. From an England point of view in the summer, he can play a variety of positions.”
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