Micah Richards urges Tuchel to start Jude Bellingham for England World Cup
Former Premier League star Micah Richards has urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to start Jude Bellingham in the Three Lions’ lineup for the 2026 World Cup, calling the Real Madrid midfielder the team’s best player. Richards said Bellingham has repeatedly delivered in big moments, citing his injury-time overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024 and his role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double. He acknowledged Morgan Rogers’ strong season at Aston Villa but insisted there should be no debate over the No. 10 spot.
The comments come as England prepares for its first World Cup since 1966, with Tuchel weighing options between Bellingham and Rogers for the attacking midfield role. Bellingham, 22, had a dip in form last season, scoring only six league goals, but appeared to be regaining sharpness in England’s warm-up win over Costa Rica on Wednesday. Rogers, 23, helped Villa secure Champions League and Europa League qualification and is a transfer target for Arsenal, United and Chelsea.
For Nigerian fans following the English Premier League and the World Cup, the debate highlights who could drive England’s attack in the United States. With the tournament kicking off in June 2026, will Tuchel trust Bellingham’s big-game pedigree or give Rogers a chance to break into the starting XI?