Alan Shearer advises Thomas Tuchel to bench Jude Bellingham for World Cup opener against Croatia
Alan Shearer believes England boss Thomas Tuchel should leave Jude Bellingham on the bench for his side’s opening World Cup match with Croatia on June 17, reports BritPanorama.
The Three Lions have today jetted out to North America as they look to win a first major trophy since 1966.
Bellingham has made the squad, having previously been outstanding at the 2024 European Championships in Germany. His reputation has only strengthened as he has continued to be a key player for Real Madrid.
While Bellingham’s quality is unquestionable, his past attitude issues have raised eyebrows. Tuchel referenced grievances expressed by Bellingham’s mother, and the player displayed petulance in November following his withdrawal in a match against Albania.
Shearer, speaking to the Daily Mail, suggested that Tuchel should opt for a different midfield strategy that might see Morgan Rogers start in Bellingham’s place. “Jude Bellingham doesn’t start the first game for me,” he stated. “I think Thomas will go with what has done well for him in England games: (Elliot) Anderson and (Declan) Rice at the base of midfield, and then Morgan Rogers ahead of them.”
In the past, England has struggled to find the right balance, often attempting to utilise all their star players at the expense of effective tactics. One player seen as essential to the team is captain Harry Kane, who scored 61 goals in the Bundesliga last season for Bayern Munich.
Shearer believes that if England are to achieve their ambition of securing a second World Cup title, Kane must be pivotal. “We didn’t see the best of Harry Kane in the last tournament,” he said, adding that to maximise Kane’s potential, he needs players running beyond him—a dynamic that was lacking.
This World Cup marks a continuation of England’s competitive evolution under Gareth Southgate, who has led the team to the finals of two Euros and the latter stages of recent World Cups, although they have yet to clinch the title. As they prepare to face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in the group stages, the question remains whether the golden trophy will finally come home.
Ultimately, football offers a platform for drama and unpredictability, and as the tournament unfolds, the choices made in the dressing room will resonate far beyond the pitch.
