Ollie Watkins has declared that Aston Villa teammate Morgan Rogers is destined to 'reach the very, very top' amid speculation linking the 23-year-old with a summer move to Arsenal. The Premier League champions are reportedly willing to pay around £85 million to secure Rogers, who has flourished under Unai Emery at Villa Park and played a key role in the club's Europa League triumph last season.
Watkins Praises Rogers' Talent and Mentality
Speaking about his club and international colleague, Watkins said: 'Morgan can go to the very top. You’ve seen what he can do in a short space of time in 18 months, how he’s developed and started to perform at the top, top level which has got him all the recognition he deserves.' He added: 'I think he’s got his head on his shoulders at the end of the day, he’s an intelligent guy who is hardworking and confidence in his own ability and I think he can go to the very top. He speaks for himself.'
Arsenal's Pursuit and Villa's Valuation
Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough two-and-a-half years ago for an initial fee of just £8 million. According to reports, Arsenal would need to offer nearly ten times that amount to convince Villa to sell one of their primary targets. Rogers is said to be open to a move to the Emirates Stadium, but Villa are under no pressure to part with the winger, who has become a key figure under Emery.
Watkins' World Cup Role and Mindset
Watkins, who came close to joining Arsenal last year, is currently at the World Cup with England, where he has been used in a 'finisher' role off the bench behind Harry Kane. The 30-year-old did not feature in England's Group L opener against Croatia but remains ready to make an impact. Reflecting on his role, he said: 'I feel like I understand the competition now, I understand that everyone has their moment, everyone has a part to play and, when I see other players having their moment, I’m really happy for them.'
Memories of Euro 2024 Heroics
Watkins etched his name into English football history two years ago when he came off the bench to score a last-minute winner against the Netherlands, sending England to the Euro 2024 final. He believes his experience as a substitute gives him an edge: 'I watch the game when I’m on the bench, I can see the game opens up. It’s a completely different game when you start a game of football than when you finish it. I’ve experienced that as a substitute, there are so many more opportunities when you come on.'
He added: 'A lot of people are tired, they lose focus and sometimes it can be better to be a substitute than to start the game. I’ve spoken about it so many times before, I said I was going to score that day and I did. It’s the best feeling to come on and change the game and I’m hoping to do that again this tournament.'
