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World Cup stories: Chris Waddle names his pick for England's number ten position
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It's a massive week for Thomas Tuchel and the England set-up, as they complete their final preparation before the World Cup campaign starts at the end of the season, with two big friendly encounters.
After naming a massive 35-man squad, the games against Uruguay and Japan will have a massive say on which players the Three Lions boss picks for his final squad for this summer's tournament.
The games will hope to answer some of the questions still surrounding the selection for both the squad as a whole and who Tuchel sees as his first XI ahead of the tournament kicking off in 80 days.
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One of the conundrums facing the German is who he will play in the 'number 10 role', with so many outstanding options available to the manager.
A key debate during his tenure so far has been about Jude Bellingham and where he is best suited, and it seems he is vying for that very position, but so far, he hasn't been able to make it his own under Tuchel.
For Chris Waddle, a man who knows all about playing at a World Cup finals, having played for England at Italia '90, he believes the spot lies in the hands of the man whom the gaffer has favoured as his first choice so far as national team boss.
"I'd like to see Morgan Rodgers play behind Harry Kane," Waddle exclusively told DAZN News on behalf of 10bet - one of the leading UK sports betting sites.
"I know there's Jude Bellingham and there's Eze, and there's obviously other players, but I think Morgan Rodgers has been the most consistent player.
"His energy levels are fantastic, considering he very rarely ever misses a game of football. His confidence is sky-high, and his ability on the ball at the moment is brilliant.
"Cole Palmer has highs and lows. He's not been consistent like Chelsea hasn't been. Eze, obviously injured yesterday, but in and out of the team at Arsenal.
"I mean, there are all great players to bring on and use, but I'm looking at Rogers to be at 10 and get the nod."
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If Rogers is playing in the number 10, the former Newcastle man has also championed for a fellow Magpie to take a spot in the attack as well, with Waddle believing Anthony Gordon should be a first-choice starter.
Gordon has been a favourite of the current England boss, and given his form and adaptability, he's another that Waddle is keen to see strut his stuff for the Three Lions in the States.
Adding, "The good thing about Anthony Gordon is he's playing really well at the minute. He's on his game.
"He's got that turn of pace which defenders don't like, which will be ideal in the early stages of the tournament against teams that may park the bus against England.
"I think that's when he's at his best on the wing. But I think if we're playing a really good side who really think will take the game to England, I think Anthony Gordon as a nine and Harry Kane as a 10 would be very, very good. I'd like to see that, too."
"But for me, the way he's playing at the minute, he should be starting on that left wing."
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