Morgan Rogers reveals which England star was 'like a little big brother' on international duty

Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers has revealed Jude Bellingham helped him through his first senior England camp, describing the Real Madrid ace as a "little big brother".

The pair grew up in the same area of the West Midlands and played together in England age groups as teenagers, while they also competed against each other at academy level while Rogers was at West Brom and Bellingham at Birmingham. Rogers made his Three Lions debut on Thursday in the 3-0 win over Greece, before he came off the bench again to feature at Wembley against Ireland on Sunday.

Bellingham won his first cap for England at the age of 17 back in 2020, becoming the third-youngest player in his country's history. A year younger than 22-year-old Rogers, Bellingham was on hand to help the Villa star through his first experience in the senior England side during this month's internationals.

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"He’s been like the little big brother for me this week," Rogers explained. "We’ve been together quite a bit. We’ve known each other pretty much most of my life. He’s a friend of mine and to share that with him was a nice moment that he was here. It made it so much easier for me.

“You look up to someone like that, who is from the same area where you’re from. Being my friend, he’s someone you keep a close eye on and you want to do well.

“When you see him do so well, you can’t help but be happy for him. To then get an opportunity to play with him and be around him, you can’t help but just smile and take that in. It’s a nice moment.”

After Rogers' 30 minute appearance out in Greece, Bellingham posted a picture on Instagram of the pair sat alongside each other as boys on England junior duty alongside a picture of them. “Congrats brother. Come a long way,” wrote the midfielder alongside the snaps.

Rogers was rewarded with a call-up to the senior squad after his outstanding start to the season with Villa. He intends to build on his form in a bid to impress incoming England boss Thomas Tuchel, who will take charge of his first internationals in March.

Speaking about his form for Villa this season, Rogers said: “I loved it. The experience is one that I dreamed of growing up and to be able to live in it, it’s a massive achievement for me. I’ve been smiling ear to ear all week and I’m really happy.

“I felt that I’m always ready, whatever opportunity I’m given. It was no different this week. I felt I was ready to make that step up and show what I’m about.

“Hopefully I’ve done enough. I’ve got another opportunity when I go back to my club to show what I’m about and hopefully be back here again soon.”

What do you make of Rogers' form so far this season? Tell us here

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