‘There have been difficult moments, dark times where it hasn’t always gone my way and it’s been challenging, but that’s all part and parcel of football’ Morgan Rogers on the setbacks he overcame to make it to the top

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers is enjoying another solid season.

Some players’ rise to the top can look effortless.

These are the types that are often destined for greatness, as they glide through the various age groups and make an immediate first-team impact. Others have to dig in, respond to setbacks and follow the path less-travelled.

Morgan Rogers’ early career fell into the latter category, as the former Manchester City hopeful underwent a series of loan moves that didn’t always go to plan.

Morgan Rogers on his rise to the top

Rogers will be hoping to star for England at this summer's World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

But with Rogers now a fundamental part of Aston Villa’s push for a top-five place and set to go to his first World Cup with England in the summer, the 23-year-old insists that these early struggles have helped him shape the player - and person - he has become.

Asked if he ever thought of playing for England at senior level felt like a stretch during his testing loan spells at Bournemouth and Blackpool, Rogers gives a very honest assessment.

“I wasn’t really thinking about that, but yeah, there were times where it was nowhere near on the radar,” he tells FourFourTwo.

“There have been difficult moments, dark times where it hasn’t always gone my way and it’s been challenging, but that’s all part and parcel of football.

“It makes you a better player and a better person – it makes you stronger. To overcome setbacks is only a good thing.”

That senior England debut finally came in 2024 after he had represented the Three Lions at every youth level from under-15s up, as interim boss Lee Carsley gave him the nod during a 3-0 Nations League victory in Greece.

“It came so quickly,” he recalls. “I got called into the squad late and I was hoping to maybe catch two minutes at the end of one game, not to get on after an hour when we needed a goal [England were only leading 1-0 when Rogers came on], so that was a lovely feeling.

Rogers during his time at Middlesbrough (Image credit: Getty Images)

“The fact that it all happened so quickly was probably the best thing for me.

“Just to rush, get changed and get on as soon as possible, not really letting the moment sink in and just playing the game for what it was.”

*Rogers was speaking during a visit to Puma’s first European flagship store, on Oxford Street in London.*