Aston Villa skipper John McGinn has praised Morgan Rogers for the impact that he’s made since joining the club in January.
The 21-year-old arrived from Middlesbrough after a lengthy pursuit from Villa, as he was evidently prioritised by Unai Emery and his scouting staff as a potentially important addition to the squad.
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While injuries have cleared a path for Rogers to perhaps be more involved than anyone expected in the three months that have since passed, he deserves plenty of credit too for taking the opportunities that he has been given to make an important contribution.
The speed with which the talented youngster has picked up the tactical and physical demands made by Emery has been impressive, and it’s clear that he’s made a positive impression on his teammates too, having also contributed two goals and an assist in 13 appearances thus far.
“His confidence is growing, he’s so strong, so powerful, he’s even surprised me a bit when he first signed and his first time in training,” McGinn said, as per BirminghamLive. “But the last three or four games he’s been outstanding. That’s great to see, he’s playing football with a smile on his face and I wish I was that good at his age.”
The challenge for Rogers now, as well as the rest of the Villa squad, is to continue to improve and develop, and show consistency over a prolonged period of time to take his game to the next level.
We’ve seen how crucial Emery has been in that process with so many other players in the current group, with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz all making big strides under the Spaniard’s tutelage.
Rogers will hopefully continue that trend and grow into his role further, particularly in the next month and the conclusion of our current campaign as we’re still without key players in that area of the pitch.
Emery himself hasn’t been shy in praising Rogers publicly either, and so it’s clear that it’s been a positive start to life at Villa for the youngster, and hopefully he’ll continue to go from strength to strength.