Aston Villa's Argentine playmaker, Emiliano Buendia, has issued a compelling public endorsement for his club teammate, urging England manager Thomas Tuchel to select Morgan Rogers for the Three Lions' starting lineup at this summer's FIFA World Cup.
Buendia's Bold Endorsement After Spurs Win
The call came after Buendia's influential performance in Villa's 2-1 FA Cup victory away at Tottenham Hotspur on 13th January 2026, where he scored one goal and provided an assist. Speaking to journalists at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium post-match, Buendia shifted the spotlight onto the consistently impressive form of Rogers, who also found the net in the crucial cup tie.
Buendia was unequivocal in his assessment. "He is a top player, he is doing well and he has a lot of potential as well, so he needs to keep going," the midfielder stated. "I think, for me, he has to play in the starting XI for England. He has to keep working hard."
Rogers' Stellar Season Captivates Attention
Buendia's high praise is firmly rooted in Rogers' outstanding output for Villa during the 2025/26 campaign. Despite a tricky start to the season for the club, the 27-year-old has flourished, carrying his fine form from the previous year into the current one.
His statistics make for compelling reading: eight goals and seven assists in just 29 appearances across all competitions. Rogers has captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike with several spectacular strikes, including:
- A long-range stunner against West Ham United.
- Two exquisite curling finishes in a home match versus Manchester United.
This prolific form has naturally led to increased transfer speculation, a skyrocketing market value, and a solidifying of his chances for an international call-up.
Ahead of Palmer and Bellingham?
Buendia's endorsement places Rogers in the most esteemed company. The Argentine's comments suggest that Rogers should be considered not just for the squad, but for a place in the first eleven, potentially ahead of established stars like Chelsea's Cole Palmer and even Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham.
While Rogers' immediate focus will remain on maintaining his high level with Aston Villa in the months leading up to the tournament, the World Cup is undoubtedly a significant personal target. As Buendia advises, continued hard work could see him genuinely compete for a starting berth under Thomas Tuchel.
Villa's Confidence Soars with Squad Depth
Beyond the individual praise, Buendia also offered insight into the positive atmosphere within the Villa dressing room. The 29-year-old attributed the team's recent success to strong collective spirit and valuable squad depth.
"I think we are playing really good football," Buendia added. "We know the quality we have as a team and a squad. What we are doing together, we are really strong. We can have changes in the starting XI and the players who come from the bench, everyone tries to help. We are only going one way together."
This unity, he believes, is the foundation for their good results and provides a platform for players like Rogers to excel on both the domestic and international stage.
