08 Sep 2025 17:05:21
Few days ago someone mentioned Morgan Rogers as a possible signing in Jan or next summer and most of the responses seemed to suggest that he might not fit anywhere in our team now that we have Wirtz, who plays in his best position.
I must say that I have to disagree with this. I think Rogers is a truly excellent footballer who would thrive in a higher quality team than Villa.
I appreciate that his best position is central but he can play LW/ RW as well as through the middle.
As a club we are hoping that we play up to 60 games a season. If we assume that we play with 4 forward positions, that means that we have up to 240 starting roles across our front 4 throughout the season.
Let's say we were to end up with the following 7
Salah
Isak
Ekitike
Gakpo
Wirtz
Chiesa/ Fofana (or similar)
Rogers
That would mean that on average each of them would get 34 starts across the season.
Of all of our forwards, only Salah and Diaz started more games than that last season.
There will always be injuries, there will always be drops in form and I think there would easily be space for Rogers in our squad.
It would also give Slot the chance to switch things around during games which is clearly one of his biggest strengths.
I get that potentially signing Rogers could see pathways blocked a little for Nyoni and Rio, but they are just kids, and out forward line will change over the next 2/ 3 seasons regardless, they aren't at a level to be 1st choice yet, but couple of good loans or playing bit parts until they really kick on they could be in a position to be 1st choice in a couple of seasons.
I appreciate there's probably other priority positions, and that would be a fair reason not to move for Rogers, but I do think he would be a great signing and has the kind of quality and drive from midfield that Wirtz brings us but that we could always do with more of.
TL:DR, I think Rogers is an exceptional player with a very high ceiling and if the opportunity to sign him at a decent price is there we really should go for it.
08 Sep 2025 19:13:29
I know Villa season ticket holders, who all say that Rogers has been poor since the latter part of last season. I tend to take the word of those that watch him week in week out.
09 Sep 2025 12:50:48
I honestly think next summer it will be someone like Wharton or Tchouameni.