The Premier League witnessed a thrilling weekend of action, with several top players staking their claims for a spot in England's World Cup squad. Among them, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Manchester City's Phil Foden, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer delivered standout performances, leaving fans and pundits alike to ponder the possibilities. As the World Cup draws near, the competition for the coveted number 10 position has intensified, with Rogers, Foden, and Palmer all making compelling cases for inclusion.
On Sunday, Rogers was the catalyst for Aston Villa's 3-2 victory over West Ham, scoring two exceptional goals to seal his team's ninth consecutive win. The 23-year-old's impressive display has reaffirmed his status as England's first-choice number 10, despite the presence of world-class competitors like Foden, Palmer, and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham. Theo Walcott, former England forward and Match of the Day pundit, believes Rogers is a "dead cert" to start for England at the World Cup, citing his exceptional all-round performance and goal-scoring threat.
Rogers "does everything, he's not just a goal threat... He is such an intelligent player, the kind of player that recognises a weakness in the structure of the team," Walcott said. "You think of [Cristiano] Ronaldo and how, if you give them time and space on the ball when they shoot from distance, they are able to manipulate the ball the way they want to. Well, Rogers is able to do that."
Rogers' second goal, a powerful, swerving strike from 30 yards, was a testament to his exceptional technique and vision. The goal capped a fine individual performance, during which he enjoyed more touches inside the West Ham box than any of his colleagues and completed over 90% of his passes in the final third. Rogers' confidence is soaring, and he is "pretty confident right now," having scored five league goals already this season, including eight last term.
In an interview with Match of the Day, Rogers expressed his desire to continue scoring and helping his team, saying, "I'm scoring quite a few lately. If I score and we win, then I'm happy. I want to score as much as possible and help the team." With Aston Villa currently on a great run, Rogers is eager to see where their momentum takes them.
While Rogers was stealing the headlines, Foden and Palmer were also making significant contributions for their respective teams. Foden netted his 10th goal of the season in Manchester City's hard-fought win at Crystal Palace, with six of those strikes coming in his past five games. The 25-year-old is approaching his best form, having overcome off-field struggles and an injury that hindered his performance last season.
Cole Palmer, meanwhile, played a crucial role in Chelsea's vital Premier League victory, demonstrating his growing influence on the team. As the season intensifies, the competition for England's number 10 position will only grow fiercer, with Foden, Palmer, and Bellingham all pushing Rogers for a starting spot. However, based on current form, Rogers appears to be the favorite to start for England at the World Cup.
As the World Cup approaches, England manager Thomas Tuchel will face a difficult decision in selecting his starting number 10. With Rogers, Foden, Palmer, and Bellingham all vying for the position, the competition is set to intensify in the coming months. One thing is certain, however: England's number 10 conundrum is a welcome problem to have, with such exceptional talent at Tuchel's disposal.
Original: BBC Sport
Image: BBC Sport
Written by Npsports
