Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers checking over his shoulder after what happened in England vs Costa Rica
Morgan Rogers could still be set for heartbreak despite a fantastic campaign as Aston Villa's main man in 2025-26.
The Villans finished fourth in the Premier League and lifted the Europa League title, and with 14 goals and 11 assists, Unai Emery relied on Rogers.
When the 23-year-old faced a major dip in form, unsurprisingly, so did Villa, but on the international stage, Thomas Tuchel has a lot of options at his disposal at the 2026 World Cup.
Ahead of this summer's tournament, there has been a huge debate over which player deserves England's No.10 spot, with the main contenders being Rogers and Jude Bellingham.
With the Villa man starting against New Zealand, it was Bellingham's time to shine against Costa Rica on Wednesday, 10 June, and the Real Madrid star will feel that he stated his case.
Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins all got on the scoresheet in the Three Lions' 3-0 win at the Inter&Co Stadium. Yet, Tuchel's decision is no clearer.
Jude Bellingham in fierce battle with Aston Villa's superstar
Bellingham was allowed 71 minutes to send a message to the England head coach, and many will feel that he now deserves the starting spot.
Against an extremely physical Costa Rican side, the 22-year-old held his own, creating two chances, one of which was big, completed 100 per cent of his dribbles, was never dispossessed, and won 80 per cent of his ground duels [FotMob].
Much is made about Bellingham's characteristics and behaviour on and off the pitch, but when it comes down to it, you want him fighting for the national team.
Tuchel appears to have made the decision even more difficult for himself, with Rogers having a mixed cameo at the end of the game. A decision needs to be made soon, though.
What's the latest on Morgan Rogers' future at Villa Park?
Much like Elliot Anderson and the increasing interest from Manchester City, supporters will be praying that transfer rumours won't impact Rogers' performances too much.
Arsenal appear to be leading the race for Villa's No.10, but multiple giants from across Europe are keeping tabs on the 23-year-old's situation as well.
Man City had even been linked with their former academy star, but either way, it would seem that the Villans are resigned to losing their superstar at some point this summer.
That would certainly explain the emerging links with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, but there is absolutely no way that Evangelos Marinakis would allow that deal to happen.