Can Bellingham become England's superstar once more at the World Cup?
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- Jude Bellingham faces Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday in England's World Cup opener, having won the battle with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers for the No 10 role behind captain Harry Kane.
- Thomas Tuchel publicly called Bellingham's on-field behavior "repulsive" — echoing his own mother's view — after England's home friendly loss to Senegal last June, and later dropped the Real Madrid star from squads for the Wales friendly and the Latvia qualifier last October.
- Bellingham has made just 9 starts in 20 England games since the Euro 2024 final, a stretch interrupted by shoulder surgery, hamstring injuries, and Tuchel's squad omission.
- Paul Robinson, BBC Radio Five Live's analyst for England's games, said the squad are "getting the Jude Bellingham of old back" and that he would pick him to start "100%," citing his experience at World Cups, Euros, and for Real Madrid.
- Jordan Henderson, who mentored Bellingham from his first England call-up in 2020, said the midfielder gives England "something really special" and an "X-factor" at this World Cup.
- Bellingham himself told the FA's Lions' Den show that England "got some things a little bit wrong off the pitch" at Euro 2024, admitting the group "did not connect as well as it could have" under the weight of expectation.
- Morgan Rogers remains a credible alternative in the No 10 role, with Robinson noting Bellingham "is not irreplaceable" because the Aston Villa man is ready to step in should form dip.
Why it matters: Tuchel has publicly challenged, criticized, and dropped Bellingham — then made him earn his No 10 place back against a genuine challenger in Rogers. With England chasing a first men's World Cup title since 1966, the gamble either reignites the player who rescued Euro 2024 with his overhead kick against Slovakia, or it hands the keys to a younger rival mid-tournament.
