Morgan Rogers: Ex-Aston Villa scout reveals real reason he left Man City
Aston Villa were given a free run at signing Morgan Rogers in January amid concerns about his attitude, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at Villa Park until 2021 and remains well-connected at the club, exclusively told Football Insider that concerns had been raised about the winger’s attitude after his departure from Manchester City.
This is said to have put fellow Premier League clubs off of a move to sign him, allowing Unai Emery’s side to swoop in and land his signature unopposed.
However, Brown has now insisted that the 22-year-old appears to have settled at Villa and working with Emery has helped to ease any behind-the-scenes concerns.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Emery has been key to ironing out issues with Jhon Duran’s attitude since his arrival at Villa Park.
The former Villa scout confessed that he had concerns about Rogers’ mentality when he watched him playing for Man City’s academy, but was pleased to see him proving people wrong at Villa.
Morgan Rogers proves Premier League clubs wrong with Aston Villa displays
Rogers moved to Villa from Middlesbrough in January and has now established himself as a key player in Emery’s side, earning high praise for his displays.
Brown, who has worked closely with players at the top level including over a decade at Man United where he spent time as Sir Alex Ferguson’s number two, explained that Rogers is already proving people wrong with his performances.
“I wasn’t surprised Villa had a free run at him because he’s got a bit of a history,” he told Football Insider.
“Rogers moved around to a few different places and was at Manchester City.
“I remember seeing him in a reserve team game, but his attitude was as if he felt ‘You’re all lucky to have me here’ – that type of thing.
“I thought, he’s a lad with ability but he needs to show it – and to be fair, I did see that ability, but there were still concerns about his attitude.
“What always pleases me is when somebody who has got those question marks against them, rightly or wrongly, gets on with it and wants to prove people wrong.
“You’ve got to admire that in a player, and Rogers seems to have done that.
“He’s a player who very much suits Villa’s game and I think working with Emery has helped him out with stuff behind the scenes.
“So I must admit, I was surprised, but I’m pleased for him that he’s been able to do a good job there.”
In other news, Aston Villa chief faces “rude awakening” after Celtic reveal.
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