Football Presse

Aston Villa manager Emery: Rogers focused despite transfer interest

·By Paul Lindisfarne
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Morgan Rogers is fully focused on Aston Villa despite a wave of transfer speculation linking him with some of Europe's biggest clubs, according to Unai Emery.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, PSG and Bayern Munich have all been credited with interest in the 23-year-old, with Villa expected to demand upwards of £80 million and potentially as much as £100 million if a bidding war develops. Rogers is also reported to be open to leaving this summer, but Emery pushed back firmly on any suggestion the noise is affecting his player.

"He is focused. He is here with us for two years, and he is being consistent."

The Villa manager praised both Rogers' reliability and versatility across a demanding schedule.

"He is playing consistently and demanding. As well, he knows how he is getting his progress and how the team needs him playing in different positions."

"He is versatile, playing on the left or in the number 10 as a second striker. He can play good or bad on the left side, or play good or bad in the middle or on the right."

Emery drew a direct comparison with Ollie Watkins to underline the mentality he sees from Rogers regardless of form.

"He, like Watkins, is always focusing on his task. Even not playing brilliantly, he is doing his task. I changed him because Buendia is performing well, and he could respond like he did when we needed him off the bench."

He was equally emphatic about Rogers' contribution to the season overall.

"He's doing a fantastic season. He is part of everything offensively because of his quality and attitude. Sometimes he needs some rest because he is playing and playing and playing."

On the question of fatigue, Emery was clear that Rogers has the physical capacity to handle the workload.

"He is able to play three matches in a row in one week. He is able to respond at the level we are, because he is doing it. Sometimes he is being clinical or not, or more tired in other matches."

He explained his decision to substitute Rogers in the draw with Nottingham Forest while still satisfied with the player's contribution.

"Today I changed him thinking we needed extra legs through Buendia. I am so happy with how we got the performance on the left side for 90 minutes in the gameplan, with Morgan and Buendia. We threatened the opponent from the left side, with Lucas and Morgan, and Buendia and Maatsen."

Rogers has ten goals and seven assists in 45 games this season and is firmly in Thomas Tuchel's thoughts for England's World Cup squad. The bigger his summer becomes, the louder the exit speculation will grow. Emery's message is simple — for now, he is Villa's.