Morgan Rogers opens up on Unai Emery after Chelsea transfer interest

Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers has been asked about the transfer interest he received over the summer window

Morgan Rogers admits that the trust Unai Emery has placed in him "means everything" at this stage of his career.

The 23-year-old joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in a deal worth around £15 million in January 2024, after being personally identified by Emery, who was impressed by the forward while preparing for an FA Cup tie at the Riverside Stadium.

Rogers showed glimpses of his potential in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, before truly shining the following season, recording 27 goal involvements across 54 appearances in all competitions.

His performances earned him the PFA Young Player of the Season award last month, along with significant interest from rival clubs during the transfer window.

Villa, however, made it clear that Rogers was not for sale, determined to retain the players Emery considers key to his project.

Asked on talkSPORT what Emery’s support means to him, Rogers said: “It means everything. As a player, when you feel wanted, loved, and you feel like they want you to be there, and want you to be a key member of the squad, it means everything to you as a player.

“As a player, it’s alright having outside noise and fans liking you, that’s one thing, but to have the manager, who picks the team, to back you - that means everything.

“He just allows me to play football and express myself. He knows I won’t always get it right or get it perfect, but he just trusts me to a point where he knows I will give it my all.

“If it doesn’t work, then it’s OK - we’ll try again and go to the next game. Having that manager is perfect and just what I needed at this time of my career.”

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