Premiership side, Aston Villa has reportedly, made a bid for Middlesbrough forward Morgan Rogers. As reported by The Athletic.
While the actual fee is unknown, Rogers is reportedly very interested in the opportunity of playing under Unai Emery’s Aston Villa who are currently sitting in 3rd place in the Premier League and have qualified for the next round of the Europa Conference League.
Who is Morgan Rogers?
The 21-year-old, who is comfortable playing, on the right, left, or as a number 9 started his career at West Brom in their youth groups up till their U18s, where he then moved to Manchester City for a reported fee of around £4.4 Million.
He had his first senior loan move, to Lincoln City where he went for six months, during the 20/21 season. He had an extremely successful loan spell, playing off the left-hand side, appearing in 25 of the 26 league games. He scored 6 goals and assisted 4 as Lincoln City reached the Sky Bet League 1 playoff final where they unfortunately lost to Blackpool 2-1 at Wembley.
Upon returning to Manchester City, he was again sent out on loan, but this time to Championship side AFC Bournemouth who had just been relegated from the Premier League. He failed to make an impact however, he appeared in 17 of the first 22 league games but failed to play more than 63 minutes in all but one game. He scored his only goal in a 3-2 defeat to Luton Town in mid-January, but from the 29th January, he was then not in the matchday squad.
During the summer of 2021, Rogers represented England at U20 level starting 2 of the 6 games and coming off the bench in 2, scoring once and assisting twice against the Czech Republic. He had also represented England at U18, 17,16 and 15 levels.
Upon returning to Manchester City, the Halesowen-born forward didn’t get his next loan move until the winter transfer window when he headed for Championship side Blackpool. He played a part in all 20 Sky Bet Championship games for The Tangerines, playing in a variety of positions, only scoring once on the final day of the season vs Norwich City.
Rogers once again headed back to Manchester City, but in the summer transfer window, he joined Championship side Middlesbrough, who finished 4th last season after an excellent revival under Michael Carrick. Rogers, while not having ‘the numbers’ to show he has started to show his quality this season, playing across the front four positions, scoring 2 and assisting 5 goals in the Sky Bet Championship. He has thrived in the EFL Cup for Boro this season, scoring four and assisting three as they reached the EFL Cup Semi Final which is the only round he has not appeared in so far.
Middlesbrough This Season
Middlesbrough has enjoyed a mixed season so far. They failed to win in their first seven Sky Bet Championship games before, getting their first victory against Southampton, which set them on their way to a six-game winning run. They currently sit in 10th place in the league, however, they are just one point from playoffs, which with more consistency they could break into!
They have enjoyed a good winter transfer window so far signing, Finn Azaz from Aston Villa who was on loan at Plymouth, as well as loaning Luke Ayling from Leeds United.
Writers View
If the move materializes, I would like to see a loan back to Boro for the season. This I believe will be good for all parties, Rogers can continue his development in a young side that is pushing for a top-six place, as I do not believe he would currently start for Aston Villa, who more often than not play with a box midfield, so Rogers would have competition with Leon Bailey on the right-hand side, or Moussa Diaby to lead the line alongside Ollie Watkins. So staying at Boro at least to the end of the season, getting consistent minutes can only be good for all parties!