Morgan Rogers has praised Unai Emery for the influence and impact that the Aston Villa manager has had on his game since he joined the club.
The 22-year-old arrived from Middlesbrough in January earlier this year after a lengthy Villa pursuit of his signature, and it has become crystal clear as to why we were so keen to prise his away and add him to our squad.
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Aside from scoring four goals and providing three assists in 23 appearances thus far, Rogers has established himself as an excellent fit in our preferred style of play and structure, and he has wasted no time in becoming a key starter for the Villa boss given his overall influence on our play.
That was on show again in midweek as we defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League, and understandably, Rogers was delighted with how far he’s come in a relatively short period of time, and was keen to praise Emery for masterminding that improvement and development in his game.
“Surreal – the atmosphere, the occasion, playing one of the biggest teams in world and competing like this,” he told TNT Sports, as quoted by BBC Sport. “Been a bit mad, that’s how quick football can change. I’ve always believed in myself. Be patient and the time will come.
“Luckily I found a manager who trusts and believed in me. I was probably in my shell when I came, trying to fit in. He took me under his wing to try to improve me, he gives me that confidence and belief in my ability. I’m only getting better and better, so it’s all thanks to him.
“We knew they were going to have more of the ball so it was about trying to hit them on the counter. It was about allowing them to have the ball in certain areas but when it’s in midfield we have to be at it.
“This is why I play football. This is the pinnacle, it means everything to me. It’s a pinch me moment but I have no time to sit and dwell on it.”
Aside from the physical qualities and attributes that we’re seeing week in and week out from Rogers, it’s clear that his mentality has played an important role in his rise at Villa thus far too, and that’s something that would have been important to Emery as well as he builds a winning team.
Whether it’s his ability to be decisive in front of goal either as a creative force or direct goal threat, or his strength, speed and technical quality to break away from the opposition and create real problems for them in the final third with his direct play, Rogers has slotted into the Villa team impressively, and he’s now making that central playmaker role his own with a string of positive performances to start the season.
Emery will of course have to manage him and there will be dips in form to come as there is with any player, but Rogers has the perfect man to continue to guide him, as the Villa boss has developed and improved practically every player at his disposal since he arrived in Villa, showcasing his elite coaching ability over the past two years.
