Aston Villa’s standout performer, Morgan Rogers, has reportedly turned heads by expressing reluctance to rejoin Manchester City, citing previous challenges at the club as a significant factor.
Rogers initially joined City in 2019, spending four years under their wing primarily within the academy setup, without breaking into the first team. His quest for regular football led him to Middlesbrough in 2023, where he caught the eye enough to earn a move to Aston Villa.
In recent reflections, Rogers confessed to feeling he wasn’t “good enough” during his City tenure, falling short of the club’s expectations. However, his meteoric rise at Villa has changed perceptions, with TEAMtalk reporting that City is keenly interested in bringing Rogers back into their fold.
Despite City’s interest, which could necessitate a substantial transfer fee to persuade Villa to sell, Football Insider suggests the Etihad outfit faces an uphill battle. Sources indicate Villa’s confidence in retaining Rogers is bolstered by his own hesitancy to return to Manchester, with memories of his prior struggles to secure a first-team place looming large.
In a sensational season for Villa, the England international has notched up 13 goals and 11 assists, including three goals and three assists in the Champions League. Rogers’ form raises parallels with Jack Grealish, whose success at Villa did not wholly translate to City post his £100million transfer in 2021. At 22, Rogers might weigh the stability and promise of Villa against the risks of repeating Grealish’s trajectory.
While City might yet test Villa’s resolve with a blockbuster offer for Rogers, his journey from past disappointments suggests he won’t be easily swayed this time.
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