‘Superstar’ Jude Bellingham boosted by Morgan Rogers competition – Ollie Watkins

Jude Bellingham’s competition with Morgan Rogers is providing the England “superstar” with an edge, according to team-mate Ollie Watkins.

The 23-year-old former Stourbridge junior is at his fourth major tournament and is set to win his 52nd cap in Wednesday’s round-of-32 encounter with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta.

Bellingham heads to Georgia coursing with confidence having followed his key goal in the 4-2 win against Croatia in England’s Group L opener with back-to-back man of the match performances.

The Real Madrid midfielder scored one and provided the other in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Panama and Tuchel believes he is in a “sweet spot” at this summer’s World Cup.

“Maybe the competition (has him playing with the bit between his teeth),” Aston Villa striker Watkins told talkSPORT.

“I think there was a lot of talk of Jude and Morgan, and so many names being thrown around the 10 position.

“Obviously the press want to talk about that and rightly so because there’s so many talented players in that position.

“But I think competition is always a good thing. I think complacency… maybe before in the Euros, there was no doubt that Jude would play.

“Having that little bit of edge… ‘am I going to play?’ it keeps you on your top game, and I think he’s showing why he’s so important for England, and why he’s a superstar.”

Birmingham product Bellingham was the star on a day that ended with three Aston Villa players on the pitch for England.

Watkins came on to join Halesowen-born midfielder Rogers and defender Ezri Konsa, with the latter making his third start of the tournament continuing a key role throughout Tuchel’s reign.

The 28-year-old is a right-back option with Reece James and Jarell Quansah major doubts to face DR Congo and Watkins has no doubt in the versatile defender’s ability to step up.

“I think Ez is just so underrated,” the Villa striker said. “It’s mad how under the radar he goes and for so many years he has.

“I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, but people don’t look at that straight away. I don’t know if it’s profile around Villa and stuff like that. People always look at the top teams.

“But you know defensively he hardly puts a foot wrong. I think one v one he played there I remember against Brazil and Vinicius couldn’t get past Ez. He’s so solid.

“Yeah, he can play right-back and obviously his main position is centre-back, but if he does play there then I’m fully confident that he can do more than the job.

“He can go and really excel there and make it really tough for top-class wingers to get past him.”