A Beginner’s Guide to Morgan Rogers
A Championship winger, signed in January, is it Ashley Young? No, it’s Morgan Rogers, and hopefully, he has the same impact as the aforementioned servant to the club. Having made his Villa Park debut for the club at the weekend, it’s time to catch-up on Villa’s main January window signing.
Here’s the brass tacks skinny guide on Villa’s signing…
Morgan Rogers – The 5 W’s
Who?
Morgan Elliot Rogers, born in Halesowen in July 2002, is an ex-West Bromwich Albion Academy player. Yes, Villa have a few of those knocking about, but Rogers is primed to be the most high-profile.
As well as The Baggies academy, Rogers has also been through the Manchester City FFP factory for young players, after they signed him, having been impressed with his performance against them in an FA Youth Cup semi.
Now Unai Emery has him on board after playing against Villa in the senior version of the Cup.
Rogers has also been at Lincoln City, Bournemouth and Blackpool, before Middlesbrough signed him in July 2023 on a permanent deal.
What?
An England U20 international, Rogers has a larger physical profile than most pacey wingers/forwards, coming in at over six feet with a decent turn of pace.
The eight million pounds rising to fifteen million represents a decent outlay for an Aston Villa team rumoured to be under FFP constraints. Manchester City were owed 25% in the deal, and it remains to be seen if Rogers is a key player or just a sound investment moving for the future and for the financial spreadsheet. Like Cryptocurrency, the future can be unstable.
Where?
He likes to operate on the left-hand side of the modern front three, cutting in on his right when necessary. A consolation goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was a tidy finish as well as a confident one.
Being able to play anywhere along the front three is a useful skill to have, as it’s very much the modern forward’s role, however it is also an area Villa are stacked in, with record signing Moussa Diaby, just one who’s capable of playing in several roles.
Why?
Why indeed? Is it a case of stockpiling a future asset, is it someone Unai Emery really rates having seen him up close or is it an insurance policy for Ollie Watkins in seasons to come?
I would suggest it’s a bit of all three. Rogers is closer in profile to Watkins than Jhon Duran, and with his pedigree in academy terms, you would think Morgan Rogers will hold or exceed his value.
Worries?
It’s too early to have any real worries, but there is a nagging feeling that Aston Villa didn’t need to make this signing. Emery had Philogene Bidace and Cameron Archer in the summer who could’ve filled in, as Rogers may be expected to do before the end of the season.
Philogene especially is catching the eye for Hull, and if Villa hadn’t sold him, he would perhaps be the more attractive signing from the Championship, if the two were looked at with fresh eyes.
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