Morgan Rogers has made 58 appearances for club and country this season, and the toll is evident. According to Soccerbase, the Aston Villa midfielder is on track for an astonishing 70 appearances if he continues playing through to the end of the World Cup. That cannot be sustainable. Rogers is running out of energy, and his place in the starting lineup may be at risk. Similarly, Cole Palmer's decline in form raises doubts about his inclusion in the squad, as does Phil Foden's situation.
Aston Villa's Resting Controversy
There was significant focus on Aston Villa resting players during their defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest. This raised integrity concerns in the league, as Tottenham's win pushed West Ham into the relegation zone, and Forest likely felt extra pressure going into their match against Chelsea on Monday. There was no rest for them.
Rogers: In Need of a Break
If any player needed a rest and did not get one, it is Rogers. He has had a stellar season for Villa, scoring goals and playing a pivotal role in their push for a Champions League place and Europa League success. A few months ago, Rogers was considered a genuine contender to start the World Cup as England's No10, ahead of Jude Bellingham. That was when he was at his peak, shining for both club and country. Thomas Tuchel may still believe he can perform that role, but Rogers, now wearing a heavy wrist strap, looks tired. He works hard and gives his all, but he is not the same player who impressed for England in the autumn. Then, he was dynamic, powerful, and combined skill, flair, intelligence, and strength to look sensational. Against Tottenham, he still worked hard, but even he cannot do everything.
Fatigue: A Wider Concern
The fatigue issue is a major worry and counters Unai Emery's decision to rest players for Villa's run-in, even if rivals disagree. Declan Rice is also on course for an exhausting season, and Harry Kane has played a huge number of games. Mikel Arteta interestingly commented on the Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain classic, insisting that such a game would never be possible for an English team at this stage of the season due to injuries, fatigue, and Premier League demands. That may or may not be true, but he is right that we are in serious danger of overplaying our best players.
Cole Palmer's Struggles
Palmer is a growing concern. The most telling statistic is on big chances created. According to Opta, he has created just seven big chances this season, compared to 24 in 2023/24 and 32 in 2024/25. Suddenly, Jude Bellingham, who has played fewer games due to injury, is first in the queue, Rogers is firmly behind, and Palmer may be sweating on his place due to 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 form and fatigue will be decisive.
England Player Ratings This Week
Morgan Rogers
Match rating: 5/10. Looked tired, ran himself ragged but did not make things happen in a disjointed and disorganised display from a much-changed Villa lineup. Poor. Current form: 6/10. He has dipped badly and looks a long way from the form that made him a contender to start the World Cup. England squad rating: 8/10. He is in the squad, but Jude Bellingham is surely 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, giving Villa a better cutting edge and looking sharper. Current form: 7/10. His form in front of goal (six goals in eight games) has been better, and he looks 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 who always looks to prove people wrong. Should be in.
Djed Spence
Match rating: 5/10. Only a 67th-minute substitute and came on when the game was winding down. 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 and has slipped down the pecking order. Hard to see him making the plane this summer. England squad rating: 5/10. Hard to see him getting ahead of other full-back options, with Nico O'Reilly and Lewis Hall having nailed down the left, and Reece James and Tino Livramento leading on the right.
England Squad Slider: In or Out?
Do you agree with John Cross? Have your say with our England Squad Slider.
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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