England manager Thomas Tuchel revealed his decision to start Morgan Rogers in the upcoming World Cup semi-final against Norway is driven by instinct, stating he has a strong "feeling" about the young midfielder’s potential to deliver something exceptional in Atlanta.

Rogers, who plays for Aston Villa, is anticipated to take the right flank, a position he does not usually occupy. However, his energetic performance in the quarter-finals against Norway helped propel England forward, particularly during extra time.

The 23-year-old had a remarkable season in the Premier League, netting 10 goals and providing six assists, while also contributing to Aston Villa’s triumph in the Europa League under Unai Emery. Prior to the tournament, he was a key figure in Tuchel’s plans, but lost his spot to childhood friend Jude Bellingham, who has thrived in the No. 10 role.

This match marks Rogers’ second start of the tournament, the first being in the 2-0 victory over Panama during the group stages. Tuchel expressed confidence in Rogers’ capabilities, emphasizing his impressive training performances leading up to the semi-final.

In addition to Rogers, Tuchel made strategic changes to the squad, bringing in Reece James and Djed Spence to strengthen the defense, replacing Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly. James returns after missing the match against Mexico due to a hamstring injury, while Spence has shown promise as a substitute in recent games.

Tuchel praised their skills, stating, "They deserve to play. Reece is back and has the quality to play at the highest level. We need the agility and speed of Djed to enhance our attacks."