MORGAN ROGERS has been terrorising defenders since he was FOUR.
The man who first spotted the talent of Chelsea’s £117million signing is adamant that the England international stood out from very young.
Chelsea star Morgan Rogers showed he was destined for big things since a young age Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Rogers has been terrorising defenders since he was four years old Credit: Instagram @mrogers
And on Jattvibeday Rogers heads to Arsenal — who also wanted to sign him this summer — hoping to continue the Blues’ 100 per cent start to this season.
The Gunners were unwilling to go much above the £80m they offered Aston Villa for the attacker and it could come back to haunt them at the Emirates.
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Rogers, 24, started his amazing journey in his home town of Halesowen in the West Midlands.
Birmingham cult hero Paul Tait organises soccer schools in the south of the city and remembers the day Rogers first crossed his path.
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He said: “I ran — and still run — a Saturday morning coaching course for kids in Halesowen. Morgan’s parents brought him in when he was four.
“From the outset, he was a different level to everyone else. Even at that age. His dribbling. Awareness. Speed. He could kick with both feet. His movement. I was in awe of him.”
Tait, a teen prodigy for Birmingham back in the day, moved Rogers up the groups until he was embarrassing the ten to 13-year-old section at about six.
And Tait, 55, had links with the late, respected talent spotter Steve Hopcroft, who worked at Birmingham before moving to West Brom and then Villa.
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Tait said: “I used to really like the Albion set-up back then. I formed a link with them through Steve — who sadly passed away a few months ago — and Mark Harrison, who was then the Baggies’ academy manager.
“Any player I thought would warrant further development, I took them there. Morgan went and after one session Hoppy rang and said, ‘We want him’.”
Rogers was playing for local team Halas Hawks by this stage and had to sacrifice Saturday mornings with Tait.
Tait said: “I just asked the kids to go out there and express themselves. I think that’s how he thrived. He’s gone on record saying he could do anything he wanted and enjoyed it.
“When players join academy set-ups, they mould them into what they want — into robots, a lot of them. I just give them the opportunity to be free and play with a smile on their face, which is what he did.”
Rogers moved from the Baggies to Manchester City’s academy before Middlesbrough signed him in July 2023.
When he was snapped up by Villa in the 2024 winter window for an initial £8m, there were some internal doubts before manager Unai Emery pressed the green light.
Tait revealed: “I spoke to Hopcroft about Morgan nine months or so before Villa signed him.
“They weren’t too enamoured with him at this stage. They thought he’d ‘dropped off a bit’. They’d watched him and were umming and ahing. The next thing you know, they went and bought him.
“It shows what can happen in football. It’s about maybe having that bit of luck — or a manager who has faith in you.”
Rogers has proven he can work wonders when playing freely Credit: Getty Images – Getty
People close to Rogers, such as Paul Tait, always knew he would do great things Credit: Getty Images – Getty
And then some. Rogers was Emery’s go-to guy within days of him arriving at Villa Park from Teesside.
A trademark of Emery’s sides is the use of a free spirit — someone allowed to pop up anywhere along the frontline.
That took Rogers back to his roots, and led to Villa banking a whopping profit on the player, even with Boro cashing in on a hefty sell-on clause.
Tait added: “To get the best out of him, you have got to let him do what he was doing at Villa.
“He can find space. He’s intelligent. He knows where to go on a pitch. You don’t want to turn him into a regimented player. Xabi Alonso is a top manager and I’m sure he won’t.
“His work ethic is very good. He’s not one-dimensional. He is a big, strong boy, 6ft 3in. He doesn’t get pushed off the ball.
“With Cole Palmer — who has something to prove after not going to the World Cup — they will work well together. But as for Chelsea, I am not sure. I don’t know what to expect of them.
“Gone are those days when you knew what you were getting and who would start. The Terrys, Lampards, Drogbas.
Rogers is now set for a new challenge at Chelsea after shining bright at Aston Villa Credit: Getty Images – Getty
“They now have that many players, you can’t keep track, and loads of youngsters who are loaned out. It’s a massive business, Chelsea.
“So, it does worry me a bit for Morgan and how it’s going to pan out. What is their identity? But I have every confidence in his ability.
“It’s been some journey for him and I truly hope he goes on to smash it at Stamford Bridge. It’s amazing to think back to all those years ago, when he was a little lad running around in mud in Halesowen having fun.
“Then winning the Europa League with Villa, playing for England, starring for Chelsea and costing £117m.
“Did I think that he’d go on to do all that? No, of course not. But his talent shone through like a beacon.
“So, no one could have predicted it. But did I think it was possible? One hundred per cent — yes.”
