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  Three Lions standout Bellingham has been acquainted with one teammate for almost two decades.
  
  
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  TUNE IN NOW: The Debate Heats Up! Can England’s Team Claim the World Cup Title?
  

Jude Bellingham
is among the top players globally – whether he is excelling on the European scene with
Real Madrid
or rescuing England in a significant competition.

It appears that the 21-year-old will take on a key role for Thomas Tuchel, likely playing in an attacking midfield position and pushing players such as
Cole Palmer
and
Phil Foden
needing to modify their gameplay to blend into the team.

Bellingham embodies the contemporary English footballer. He possesses strong technical skills and has likely not yet reached his peak at the national level, but he is now prepared to seize his opportunity—should we consider it an opportunity—with full determination.

He is among only four players who do not play for the national team of the country they represent internationally. Currently, he is showcasing his skills in Spain, serving as the captain.
Harry Kane
is in Tuchel’s home country of Germany,
Jordan Henderson
competes for Ajax in the Netherlands and
Kyle Walker
is in Italy with
AC Milan
– even though borrowed from
Manchester City
.

In conclusion, after everything has been considered, he remains a lad from Birmingham – neither the pioneer nor the finale for the English national team.
Jack Grealish
perhaps the most notable.

However, there is another person from Bellingham’s hometown; his closest companion now stands beside him with the England team—a figure perhaps less recognized but significant nonetheless—Morgan Rogers. In their previous training session, he referred to Bellingham as his ‘little big brother’.

Rogers, who played for Aston Villa in both the Premier League and Champions League this season, started his first match for England on Monday evening when he took the field from the beginning of the game against Latvia.

A year and a half ago, he competed in the Championship with Middlesbrough after signing with them for £1.5 million from Manchester City, which had lost interest in him.

Rogers, who was 22 at the time but had just turned 17 when he signed with City in 2019, left West Brom in the Midlands to advance his career further. A year after Rogers made this move, Bellingham transferred to Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham.

Rogers recognizes that greater expectations were placed upon him compared to Bellingham, who frequently interacts with his acquaintances online during that period. However, circumstances did not favor him as hoped. In an interview with ITV prior to the match against Latvia, Rogers confesses that he struggled to showcase his true abilities within a strict framework.

Loans to players such as Lincoln, Bournemouth, and Blackpool came next, before he found stability at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick. Later, in 2024, he moved to Aston Villa.

After scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists, he has become one of the most thrilling offensive talents in the Premier League, with Bellingham possibly being the proudest person around.

It’s clear once you’re aware of their relationship. The two individuals are very close—perhaps best friends—often spotted with big smiles beside each other prior to the incident.
England
the games they have participated in jointly.

It traces back to Rogers’ fifth birthday. Although I don’t recall it, he reportedly attended my celebration,’ shares England’s latest addition.

He finds it doubly delightful, stepping onto the field alongside him once more,” he remarks. “It’s wonderful to know we can experience these instances together, and seeing his joy and pride only enhances the moment.

My mother has known his parents for a long time through their professional connections. They’ve often been in close proximity, frequently facing off against one another at various academies.

‘Since our first Under-15 camp together, coming from Birmingham, we tended to stick with one another, and it has been like that ever since.’

We likely lived just five minutes apart from one another. Our relationship has somewhat been like rivalry, with me supporting West Brom and him backing Birmingham.

On Monday, they were mostly side-by-side during their match at Wembley. In the 26th minute, they attempted a slick one-two pass, but Rogers couldn’t redirect the ball back to his teammate due to defensive pressure.

However, the pair are expected to remain close companions for quite some time. They might still cross paths in the Champions League semi-finals. Currently on the periphery, Rogers could become a mainstay like Bellingham if he continues his impressive performance.

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