In a twist that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Morgan Rogers, the 22-year-old Aston Villa star, has made it clear he’s not eager to return to Manchester City, the club where he once honed his skills as a teenage prospect. The attacking midfielder, now a rising force in the Premier League and a newly minted England international, has pointed to the “struggles” he endured during his time at the Etihad as the reason behind his reluctance. It’s a decision that has left City fans reeling and Villa supporters buzzing with pride, as Rogers’ journey from a discarded academy talent to a £100 million-rated gem takes yet another dramatic turn.
Rogers’ story with Manchester City began in 2019 when, at just 17, he swapped the familiar turf of West Bromwich Albion’s youth setup for the glittering promise of the City Football Academy. The move was a dream come true for the Halesowen-born youngster—a chance to rub shoulders with the likes of David Silva and Raheem Sterling at one of England’s most dominant clubs. But the reality proved far harsher than the dream. “I wasn’t good enough, simple as that,” Rogers has reflected candidly, his words carrying the weight of hard-earned hindsight. “I wasn’t ready to be there. I wasn’t myself. I wasn’t the person they signed in terms of what they expected me to go on and be.” For a teenager thrust into an “All Stars” environment, surrounded by players representing their nations, adaptation became a mountain too steep to climb.
His four-year stint at City was a rollercoaster of loans—Lincoln City, Bournemouth, Blackpool—each stop a test of resilience as he searched for his footing. At Lincoln, he dazzled, scoring six goals and earning the EFL Young Player of the Month award, a glimpse of the flair he’d later unleash. But Bournemouth was a different beast; limited minutes left him questioning his identity as a player. “I struggled to be me,” he’s admitted, recalling how the freedom he’d enjoyed at West Brom evaporated amid the pressure to fit into City’s rigid system. By 2023, with no senior appearances to his name, City let him go to Middlesbrough for a modest £1 million—a move that, in retrospect, looks like one of the bargains of the decade.
Fast forward to 2025, and Rogers is a revelation at Aston Villa. Signed for an initial £8 million in February 2024—a fee that could rise to £15 million with add-ons—he’s transformed into a linchpin under Unai Emery’s guidance. With 12 goals and 11 assists this season, including a hat-trick in the Champions League against Celtic, he’s not just thriving; he’s rewriting his narrative. His performances have Villa dreaming of a top-four finish and a deep European run, while his November 2024 England debut cemented his status as a national talent. Little wonder, then, that Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola’s watchful eye, is reportedly “in love” with the player they once let slip away, eyeing a blockbuster return.
Yet Rogers isn’t swayed by the nostalgia or the mammoth offers rumored to be in the works. “It wasn’t the right player at the right time for me or the club,” he’s said of his City days, a statement that doubles as a polite but firm rejection. Villa, too, are digging in their heels, confident they can fend off any suitors for a player now valued at over £100 million—a figure that would eclipse the club-record £100 million City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021. For Rogers, the hesitation isn’t just about past struggles; it’s about the present joy he’s found at Villa Park, where Emery’s faith has unlocked his potential. “Every day he pushes me—he doesn’t let me have a second off,” Rogers has praised his manager, crediting their bond for his meteoric rise.
The irony isn’t lost on anyone. Rogers, once deemed surplus by City, has already tormented them this season, scoring and assisting in a 2-1 Villa win in December 2024—a performance that earned him Player of the Match honors and a quiet word of praise from Guardiola himself. Now, as City grapple with an aging squad and a hunger for fresh flair, Rogers stands as the one who got away. For Villa fans, his refusal to look back is a badge of loyalty; for City, it’s a bitter pill—a reminder that timing, as Rogers knows all too well, is everything in football. As the transfer rumor mill churns, one thing is clear: Morgan Rogers is writing his own story, and he’s not ready to let Manchester City rewrite the ending.