Rogers Shines as Villa Triumphs Over Leeds
"We are not collecting the most talented players. We are trying to build a team. Teams win trophies, no one else."
Thomas Tuchel may not have directly referenced Morgan Rogers following England's victory over Wales in October, but it was evident that the Three Lions manager was alluding to the Aston Villa midfielder when he emphasized the importance of selecting players based on merit rather than reputation.
Despite intense competition, the 23-year-old has been a starter in four of England's last five matches.
Rogers showcased his talent once again with two goals in Villa's recent win against Leeds, reinforcing his position ahead of notable players like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer for the national team.
However, the question remains: will Rogers retain the England number 10 position heading into next summer's World Cup?
‘His Season Has Been Fantastic’
Rogers, much like Villa, had a slow start to the current Premier League season, having only scored once in his first 11 appearances prior to his brace at Elland Road.
His performance has significantly improved in recent weeks, coinciding with a resurgence in Villa's results. Unai Emery's squad has won six out of their last seven league matches, with Rogers contributing three goals and two assists during this period.
"He was performing fantastically, even when he wasn’t scoring," Emery stated on BBC Radio 5 Live. "It has always been his task to focus on the game plan we have. He’s always playing well. While scoring goals is a bonus, he has consistently been excellent. His season has been fantastic, and he is getting progressively better alongside the team. Scoring goals today, he was brilliant."
Rogers offers more than just goals and assists; his overall contributions to the team are significant. Emery has been working closely with him to enhance his movement on the pitch.
"The manager always encourages me to get into the box because that’s where goals are scored. Sometimes I hesitate, but I reacted quickly to the ball for my first goal," Rogers explained. "I was fortunate to get a toe on it, and I was really happy with that one."
Statistically, Rogers stands out among his competitors for the England attacking midfield role. He is tied with Foden at 17 goals since the beginning of last season and has one less than Bellingham's 18 goals for Real Madrid. Furthermore, he boasts more assists (16), more dribbles (127), and more touches in the opponent's box (307) than his rivals.
On Sunday, Rogers added yet another skill to his repertoire by scoring his first free-kick for Villa. He expertly curled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.
"I’m glad the free-kick went in. I aimed to replicate Emi [Buendia] and thankfully it worked," Rogers said. "Our set-piece coach keeps urging me to practice in training, and I’m happy it paid off today."
‘Rogers’ Individual Brilliance Won Villa the Game’
Lukas Nmecha initially put Leeds ahead at Elland Road, taking advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Emi Martinez. However, Rogers equalized just three minutes into the second half with a smart finish at the front post, followed by a stunning free-kick goal 15 minutes later.
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy praised Rogers' "individual brilliance," which he credited for the win against Leeds. "Rogers displayed high-quality play with two exceptional moments that turned the game around," Murphy told BBC Sport. "Breaking the game down to key moments, his first finish was remarkable, especially on his weaker foot, and the free-kick demonstrated the confidence of a player who has established himself at the Premier League level. Would Leeds have won if they had a player of Rogers' quality? There’s a strong argument for that. The difference in this level often comes down to the players in the final third, and we witnessed that today. One of Rogers' great strengths is his versatility; he can play various roles due to his athleticism and power."