Morgan Rogers should not be in any hurry to leave Aston Villa despite reported interest from Arsenal, according to BirminghamLive's Aston Villa correspondent John Townley. The 23-year-old forward, who has been a key player under Unai Emery, is valued at £130 million by Villa, a price that significantly limits potential suitors.
Rogers' Development Under Emery
Another season working under Unai Emery would undoubtedly make Rogers a better player, Townley argues. Emery has been instrumental in Rogers' rapid rise since his arrival from Middlesbrough two-and-a-half years ago. While Arsenal may be better placed to challenge for the Premier League title next season, Villa's own title hopes were derailed by injuries to John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, and Boubacar Kamara in January, which damaged their chances of keeping pace with Arsenal and Manchester City.
Villa's Title Credentials
Competing for a league title in May is a completely different challenge, even though Villa have consistently been among the Premier League's top four sides since Emery took over more than three-and-a-half years ago. If Rogers stays, he would still play in the Champions League and compete near the top of the strongest domestic league in the world.
Financial Realities
Balancing a Champions League campaign with Premier League spending rules limits Villa's ability to mount a sustained title challenge, but Townley notes that stranger things have happened. Rogers, a player with unwavering belief in his own ability, would not dismiss the possibility of winning titles at Villa.
Rogers' Ambition
Speaking before England's match against Norway, Rogers outlined his ambition to establish himself among Europe's elite. “I look at players in the room, in the training ground, like Harry Kane, Jude, they’ve done it for five, six, seven, eight years consistently, and that’s the difference from a good player to a great player,” he said. “That next level, I want to take that step. I want to be in those conversations with the best players in England, I want to be in those conversations of the best players in Europe. I’ve still got a long way to go and a lot of learning to do and a lot of development, but I think I’m on the right path of doing that.”
Conclusion: No Rush to Leave
Rogers is too intelligent to kick up a fuss and force a move to Arsenal, even if that is his preferred destination. It is also a moot conversation if the Gunners are unwilling to meet Villa's £130 million valuation. Arsenal could, in theory, afford such a fee, but how highly they value Rogers will become clearer in the coming weeks. One thing is certain: his career would not be held back by spending at least another season at Villa under Emery.
