Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has urged head coach Thomas Tuchel to consider starting Morgan Rogers over Jude Bellingham in England’s World Cup opening match against Croatia on Wednesday. The Real Madrid midfielder, Bellingham, is widely expected to be in the starting lineup, but Hoddle, who led England at the 1998 World Cup, believes Rogers, a 23-year-old Aston Villa playmaker, could provide a more effective presence in midfield.

Hoddle, who is a respected figure in English football and known for his tactical acumen, emphasized the importance of having a strong core or “spine” within the team. He identified goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, defender Marc Guehi, midfielder Declan Rice, captain Harry Kane, and Rogers as key components of that spine. Acknowledging the talent of Bellingham, 22, Hoddle praised his ability as a “rugby-style finisher” but suggested that the timing of his involvement during a match could be crucial.

The former Tottenham Hotspur legend compared England’s strategy to rugby tactics, noting that teams often save their impact players for the final stages of a match to secure victory. “The last 20 minutes are where games are won and lost,” he said, adding that South Africa’s success in rugby partly comes from deploying powerful players from the bench late in the game. Hoddle argued that England possess similar game-changing talent and could benefit from introducing Bellingham as an impact substitute rather than a starter.

Reflecting on his own World Cup experience in 1998, when England were eliminated by Argentina in the round of 16, Hoddle stressed the need for tactical balance in midfield. He warned against relying on only two central midfielders, singling out Rice’s role as particularly vital and urging Tuchel to provide him with additional support. “Tuchel cannot make the mistake that ruined my England career, playing only two midfielders in the middle of the park,” Hoddle said. “Rice needs another body in there. We were outnumbered always in midfield. A lot of our energy was gone because we were chasing the ball.”

Hoddle also noted his past tactical approach of playing three at the back during his time managing clubs like Swindon Town and Chelsea, which allowed for extra midfield presence to both recover possession and stretch opponents. He suggested that a similar setup could benefit the England squad in the World Cup.

As England prepare for their opening match, the debate over Bellingham’s starting role highlights the ongoing tactical considerations facing Tuchel. Whether he chooses to follow Hoddle’s advice remains to be seen, but the former manager’s insights offer a thoughtful perspective on how to harness England’s midfield strength in the tournament.