Despite Rogers’ evident talent, Guardiola justified his move away from Manchester City, citing intense competition for places at the Etihad.
Rogers, who left for Middlesbrough to secure regular minutes, has flourished under Unai Emery’s guidance at Aston Villa, becoming one of the Premier League’s most promising young talents.
His exceptional performance against City included an assist for Jhon Duran’s goal and a second for himself, helping Villa leapfrog the reigning champions on the league table.
Rogers’ rise under Unai Emery
Morgan Rogers’ development has been remarkable since leaving Manchester City. At Aston Villa, he has embraced a key role under Unai Emery, becoming a pivotal figure in the team’s counter-attacking strategy.
Rogers credited Emery for his improvement, emphasizing the demanding work ethic instilled by the Spanish manager. He expressed satisfaction with his progress and aims to maintain his upward trajectory as a Premier League talent.
Guardiola defends City’s decision
Pep Guardiola explained that during Rogers’ time at Manchester City, the squad was filled with elite players like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Raheem Sterling, which limited opportunities for younger talents.
Guardiola admitted that, given the current circumstances, players like Rogers could have been valuable assets for City. However, he expressed happiness for Rogers’ success, labeling him a “top-class player” and one of England’s brightest prospects.