Morgan Rogers has brushed off rumours linking him with a big-money move to Arsenal, claiming he plans to use the 'noise' in a 'positive way' at this summer's World Cup.
Rogers' outstanding season
The 23-year-old enjoyed another outstanding campaign with Aston Villa to further establish himself as one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in English football, racking up ten goals and six assists in the Premier League. He also played an instrumental role as Villa brought their 30-year trophy drought to an end last month, scoring and assisting against Freiburg to help Unai Emery's men clinch the Europa League.
While Rogers was named the PFA Young Player of the Year for his contribution in the previous season, the England international has proven beyond doubt that he is more than just a flash in the pan in recent months – and his barnstorming form has not gone unnoticed.
Arsenal interest
Newly crowned Premier League champions Arsenal have been credited with a strong interest in Rogers, with Mikel Arteta placing the former Middlesbrough man high up on his summer transfer wishlist. It's claimed the Gunners have held 'preliminary talks' with Rogers' camp and the player himself is said to be 'open' to the prospect of a switch from Birmingham to north London.
However, it should come as no surprise that Emery wants all of his star men to stay put – with his side competing in the Champions League next term – and it could reportedly take a fee in excess of £80 million to prise Rogers away from Villa Park.
Rogers speaks out
Speaking to The Rest Is Football from England's World Cup training camp in West Palm Beach, Florida, Rogers did his best to play down the incessant speculation, insisting the Three Lions' upcoming campaign remained his sole 'focus'. Asked if the transfer rumours had ever 'affected' his game to the point of becoming a distraction, Rogers replied: 'I think the first time it ever happened it was. You're in an uncomfortable spot of not realising that people have so much interest in you and you're not quite realising that.'
'But as you get older and gain experience along the way, you know that comes with it and 95 per cent of it is just noise. You hear it, course you do. You can't help not [hearing it]. You know it's there but you've got to use it in a positive way. You just try and get on with your game and just focus.'
Rogers' journey
Rogers was playing for Bournemouth in the Championship during England's previous World Cup campaign in Qatar, one of three separate loan spells during his time with Manchester City. 'It's mad to see how far you can come in such a short space of time,' Rogers said of the journey he has been on in the intervening years. 'But you're naive in football if you don't think things can change so quickly. That's the good thing or bad thing, whichever way you want to look at it. One minute you can be something and the next minute you can be gone and forgotten about. That's the harsh reality of football.'
Playing alongside Bellingham
Rogers dismissed the notion that he is effectively in a two-horse race with Jude Bellingham to play in the No.10 role for England, claiming: 'I think we can definitely play together. I'd love to play together. I want to play with England's best players. He's right at the front of that and someone that I've always wanted to play with from a very young age, and that's no different now.'
Heskey's advice
In an exclusive interview with Metro last week, ex-Aston Villa and England striker Emile Heskey encouraged Rogers to think very carefully before making any rash decisions over his future. 'Would it be difficult to say no to Arsenal? Yes and no,' Heskey explained. 'You have to look at who is ahead of you in both teams. He's top of the pile at Villa, he is the main man. If he goes to Arsenal, where would he be in that pecking order and does it suit the way he plays? He is a very intelligent player so I'm sure it would. But he has to figure out what he wants from his career.'
Rogers' current contract with Villa is not due to expire until June 2031.
