Jamie Carragher believes Jude Bellingham’s England role will ‘dominate airwaves’ during World Cup | OneFootball

Jamie Carragher has expressed concerns that Jude Bellingham’s role within the England squad at the upcoming World Cup could "dominate airwaves" throughout the summer tournament.

Bellingham, a Real Madrid midfielder, was named in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-player squad for the competition, but his place in the starting XI for the opening match against Croatia on 17 June is not guaranteed.

Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers is currently tipped to feature in the number 10 position, leading Carragher to hope that Tuchel’s management of Bellingham does not detract from England’s pursuit of World Cup success.

"I don’t think Jude Bellingham’s going to start the first game, I’d be surprised if he does," Carragher stated on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast on Wednesday.

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Thomas Tuchel must decide if Jude Bellingham (left) or Morgan Rogers (right) will start at No.10 (Getty)

"He hasn’t had a great season, he’s had his injuries but I think that will be really interesting to see how the tournament goes on. That dynamic between Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham, whether he gets in the team and if he’s not in the team what happens. I think that is going to dominate airwaves all summer."

Carragher added: "I just don’t think he leaves Rogers out when he’s been his man for the England team, he’s finished the season strongly and scored in a European final… honestly I think it could blow up at the World Cup. It is how it is managed by both of them, Tuchel and Bellingham.

“He will start with Rogers and I do think almost maybe by the third game, Bellingham will find himself back in because he’s too big of a figure, too much of a good player and (produces) big moments."

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Jamie Carragher says Tuchel's management of Bellingham could play a role in how the World Cup campaign plays out (Getty)

Former England forward Ian Wright, however, backed Bellingham to respond positively to any initial disappointment saying: "If Jude didn’t start that game, I guarantee at some stage he will make himself known in that tournament.

“Without a doubt because he can produce big moments. No-one can say Rogers doesn’t deserve that start, but at the same time, it is not one of them where Jude will sulk off."

Meanwhile, Gary Neville questioned Tuchel’s broader squad selections, particularly the decision to omit Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.

"We have a lot of talented players and my point is I’m torn between, ‘well done Thomas, you’re a great manager, I believe in you, I’m going to back you 100 per cent and I hope you win the tournament,’ but I can’t help think that part of me at the end of the tournament is going to say what has happened to this generation?" Neville remarked.

He continued: "We thought when we had Saka, Foden, Palmer, Bellingham, (Eberechi) Eze and now Bellingham is going to be left out, Palmer and Foden are out of the squad, (Morgan) Gibbs-White not in the squad. You’re talking about three or four of the most talented players in the country."