Morgan Rogers’ Swift Ascent: From Lower Leagues to Champions League Football

On 3 October 2023, Morgan Rogers was in a familiar position. The young attacking midfielder observed from the bench at the Riverside Stadium as his Middlesbrough colleagues competed against Cardiff City in the Championship. After seven matches of the new season, Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough team remained without a win and was performing poorly, a situation mirrored by Rogers. Unbeknownst to him at the time, this marked the fifth instance in a series of 12 consecutive league games where he would begin on the substitutes’ bench. Exactly 365 days later, Rogers contributed to Aston Villa’s 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in their initial Champions League home fixture in 42 years. The 22-year-old English player has experienced a rapid ascent to the highest level, though his journey has been challenging. By the age of 22, Rogers had already represented seven different clubs. Having joined West Brom at nine years old and making his senior debut at 16, Rogers’ abilities drew the attention of Manchester City. Subsequent loan periods included Lincoln City in League One, followed by Bournemouth and Blackpool in the Championship, experiences Rogers attributes to his development as a player. Rogers informed Football Focus, “It is challenging but something I wanted to do. I wanted to play and I would make the same decisions again.” He added, “It was about getting games under my belt. [They] are all experiences to take, I wouldn’t be the person I am now if I hadn’t had those experiences.” Morgan Rogers has been in the starting lineup for all of Aston Villa’s games this season. Rogers transferred to Middlesbrough in a £1.5m agreement in July 2023, experiencing an inconsistent beginning to the season. There was notable surprise when Aston Villa acquired him for £8m plus add-ons only seven months subsequent. Rogers stated, “It was pretty easy when I found out the team who wanted me.” He elaborated, “It was tough leaving Middlesbrough because it was a fresh start. I felt close to the team and coaches, but when a team like Villa comes in it is impossible to say no. Being a lad from Birmingham it was the perfect reality. I couldn’t say no.” Following his contribution to Villa’s fourth-place finish last season, Rogers has subsequently started all 12 of their fixtures in the Premier League and Champions League. He remarked, “I have always had that belief and wanted to get to the highest level of football.” Rogers continued, “[Playing in the] Champions League – it is crazy. The feeling doesn’t wear off. To be a part of that is something I didn’t expect to happen so quickly.” He described it as, “It is mad and surreal to feel I am playing against that level and calibre of player. It’s cool and exciting. I love football so much, so stuff like that still excites me.” Regarding the Bayern game, he stated, “The Bayern game – stars from one to 11, all of them are superstars and it was a surreal moment to think I am on the pitch with them.” Rogers attributes his progress to Aston Villa manager Unai Emery. Unai Emery’s leadership in securing Villa’s top-four position was a significant narrative of the previous season, yet for Rogers, this achievement was not unexpected. Rogers commented, “The manager is so intense. He is next level in terms of little things normal people wouldn’t see.” He continued, “You see the correlation down the line and why he honed in on it. He does it 100 times per week – you are never surprised. He is so demanding and so high level – he brings out the best in you. I have improved with him massively.” Rogers added, “The confidence and belief he has given me is massive. Giving that trust and belief means a lot – but he is still pushing me as well.” He explained, “He wants me to drive with the ball, being brave to do it and he allows me to do it. Now it is about decision-making, little details and what I can keep adding. Use your body, use your strength.” Rogers concluded, “I love the game and someone like that who also loves the game works so well for me. He finds a way to improve players as well as having that drive to win games, and that is probably how he is different to any other manager.” Having admired figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, and Neymar during his youth, Rogers is now performing on the same platforms. However, he considers his journey far from complete. The England Under-21 international has observed his team-mates transition to the senior squad, a progression he aims to emulate. He stated, “Playing at major tournaments for your country is the dream.” He acknowledged, “But in my position there are some world-class players. I’m not going to be hurt if I don’t get selected. It’s an ambition for me, but hopefully I can keep knocking on the door.” Rogers expressed, “There is nothing better than seeing players you have grown up with do so well. It is so refreshing to see and shows the pathway does mean something from the England youth.”