Former Premier League star Micah Richards has called on England manager Thomas Tuchel to start Jude Bellingham at the 2026 World Cup, saying the Real Madrid midfielder is the best player in the squad.
Bellingham is currently competing with Morgan Rogers for a place in the starting XI as England prepare for a tournament they hope will end their 60-year wait for a World Cup title.
The 22-year-old was one of England’s standout performers at Euro 2024, where he produced one of the tournament’s most memorable moments — a last-minute overhead kick against Slovakia that kept England in the competition.
At club level, Bellingham has continued to shine since joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund, helping the Spanish giants win both La Liga and the Champions League under Carlo Ancelotti.
However, last season was more difficult for him, with injuries and form issues limiting his output to six league goals, his lowest in several years. Even so, he showed signs of returning to top form in England’s recent warm-up match against Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, Rogers enjoyed a strong season with Aston Villa, playing a key role as the club secured Champions League qualification and lifted the Europa League trophy. His performances have also attracted interest from top Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea.
England legend Alan Shearer recently suggested he would choose Rogers ahead of Bellingham for the starting role, arguing that Rogers has been more consistent and influential in recent performances.
But Richards strongly disagrees.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, he insisted that Bellingham’s ability to deliver in big moments sets him apart, pointing to his Champions League success and key performances for England in major tournaments.
Richards said that while both players could feature together, Bellingham should be the main No. 10 in the team.
He added that there should be no debate about the Real Madrid star’s place, stressing that Bellingham has consistently proven himself at the highest level and deserves to start for England.