Morgan Rogers has chalked up 58 appearances for club and country this season.
And it shows. According to Soccerbase, the Aston Villa midfielder is on course for an eye-watering 70 appearances if he carries on playing all the way from now until the end of the World Cup.
That simply cannot be right. Rogers is running out of gas and his place in the starting line-up may be disappearing. Cole Palmer’s drop in form must raise doubts about his inclusion in the squad while the same can be said of Phil Foden.
There was rightly a lot of focus on Villa resting players in their defeat to Tottenham on Sunday ahead of their Europa League semi final second leg with Nottingham Forest.
It raised issues about the integrity of the league because Tottenham’s win meant West Ham dropped into the bottom three and Forest probably felt extra pressure going to Chelsea on Monday. There was no rest for them.
OPINION
John Cross
OPINION
John Cross
But if one player actually needed a break and did not get one then it is Rogers. He has had a fabulous season for Villa.
He has scored goals, been a pivotal figure in their push for a Champions League place and also for the Europa League.
A few months ago we were talking about Rogers being a genuine contender to start the World Cup as England’s No10 ahead of Jude Bellingham.
That was when Rogers was at his peak, playing his best and shining for club and country. Thomas Tuchel may feel he can still do that job for England.
But Rogers, who is now also wearing a heavy strapping on his wrist, just looks tired. Yes, he works hard and gives his everything.
But he is not the player who shone for England in the autumn. Then he looked dynamic, powerful and that irresistible mix of skill, flair intelligence and strength really made him look sensational.
Rogers still worked hard against Tottenham and if there was one player who stood out then it was him. But even he cannot do everything.
The fatigue issue is such a worry and is the counter argument to Unai Emery resting players for the Villa run-in – even if rivals might not see it that way.
Declan Rice is on course for an exhausting season. Harry Kane has played a huge number of games. But Mikel Arteta was interesting on the Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain classic.
The Arsenal boss insisted that game would never be possible for an English team at this stage of the season because of injuries, fatigue and the demands of the Premier League.
That may or may not be true. It may have more to do with the attitude of both managers. But he is right… we are in serious danger of overplaying our best players.
Clearly, Rogers is not the only issue here.
Cole Palmer’s stats make hard reading: He has just three assists across all competitions this season – lower than any of his rivals for the England No10 shirt(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)
Palmer is a growing concern. The most telling stat of all is on big chances created. According to Opta, he has created just seven big chances this season. Compare that to 24 in 2023/24 and 32 in 2024/25.
Suddenly, it feels as if Jude Bellingham – who has played fewer games because of injury – is first in the queue, Rogers is firmly behind and then Palmer may be sweating on his place because of Eberechi Eze’s impressive form.
My ratings reflect that Foden has lost ground, Bellingham is top, Rogers has dipped and it could be a straight fight between Palmer and Eze.
One thing is for sure, England boss Tuchel cannot take them all and surely form – and fatigue – will be decisive.
Here, Cross gives his latest verdict on the players he saw live this week – Tottenham’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa – and the squad overall.
There’s the chance to have your say in the article – so get involved.
Content cannot be displayed without consentEngland Player Ratings this week
Morgan Rogers has been given an 8/10 England squad rating(Image: Getty)
Morgan Rogers:
Match rating: 5/10
Looked tired, ran himself ragged but did not make things happen in what looked a very disjointed and disorganised display from a much-changed Villa line-up. Poor.
Current form: 6/10
He has dipped badly. He looks a long way from the form which made him a contender to start the World Cup.
England squad rating: 8/10
He is in the squad – but surely Jude Bellingham is in pole position as first choice No10 this summer.
Ollie Watkins
Match rating: 7/10
Only came on at the hour mark and made an immediate, positive impact. He gave Villa a better cutting edge and looked sharper.
Current form: 7/10
His form in front of goal – six goals in eight games – has been better and he has looked in the mood to prove a point.
England squad rating: 7/10
His admission that he was hurt by not making the England squad in March and that fired him up was telling. This is a player with a fabulous attitude and outlook. He always looks to prove people wrong. Should be in.
Djed Spence
Match rating: 5/10
Only a 67th minute substitute and came on at a time when the game was winding down. But, tellingly, Tottenham were better with natural right and left footed full backs – Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie – on the pitch.
Current form: 5/10
Very patchy. Has really slipped down the pecking order. Hard to see him making the plane this summer. His levels have dropped.
England squad rating: 5/10
Hard to see him getting ahead of any of the other full back options with Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall having nailed down the left and Reece James and Tino Livramento leading the way on the right.
Do you agree with John Cross? Have your say with our England Squad Slider – in or out – below
England Player Ratings – Their chances of making the plane
Goalkeepers
- Jordan Pickford 10
- Dean Henderson 9
- James Trafford 8
- Aaron Ramsdale 6
- Jason Steele 6
Defenders
- Marc Guéhi 9
- Ezri Konsa 9
- John Stones 8
- Trevoh Chalobah 8
- Dan Burn 7
- Harry Maguire 6
- Jarell Quansah 6
- Fikayo Tomori 4
Right backs
- Reece James 8
- Tino Livramento 8
- Ben White 5
Left backs
- Nico O’Reilly 9
- Lewis Hall 8
- Djed Spence 5
Midfielders
- Declan Rice 9
- Elliot Anderson 9
- Jordan Henderson 7
- Kobbie Mainoo 7
- James Garner 7
- Adam Wharton 6
- Alex Scott 6
No10s
- Jude Bellingham 9
- Morgan Rogers 8
- Cole Palmer 7
- Eberechi Eze 7
- Phil Foden 5
Right wingers
- Bukayo Saka 8
- Jarrod Bowen 8
- Noni Madueke 6
Left wingers
- Marcus Rashford 8
- Anthony Gordon 8
Strikers
- Harry Kane 10
- Ollie Watkins 7
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin 5
- Dominic Solanke 4
- Danny Welbeck 4
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