After making an impressive start to the season, Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers had been tipped by many across the football community to be selected by Lee Carsley for his first England squad ahead of the September international break.
Following his monstrous display against Arsenal at Villa Park, where Carsley was in attendance, the news broke that Rogers had not made the senior squad and was instead selected to play for the England Under-21's.
Rogers has his say
Speaking to Birmingham live, Rogers insisted there was "never any doubt" that he would take up the opportunity to join up with the Under-21 side despite Villa manager Unai Emery criticising the selection.
"“There was never any doubt about me coming, I spoke to him (Emery) about it. I understood what he was trying to say, he just wants to protect me and cares about our games coming up.""Morgan Rogers
Rogers went on to discuss how, despite having the ambition to play for the England senior team, he knows the benefits of playing for the youth sides. “I know the benefit of the Under 21s and the big tournaments to show what I’m about," the youngster added. “I see the players in the first team now who’ve been through all the ages. He (Emery) gets why it’s a massive thing for me to represent my country. It’s a massive achievement.”
Unai Emery critical of Rogers's selection
Villa boss Emery was critical of the fact that Rogers had not been selected for the senior national side. Having stood out as one of the Premier League's best players in the early stages of the season Emery was surprised to see that the man he signed from Middlesborough in January for just £8 million, wasn't part of Carsley's immediate plans.
""I am very surprised the national team called him for Under-21. What is a player like him gaining by playing for the U21s? I am surprised. I respect that they are not calling him for the first team, but the second team? He is not a player for the second team.”"Unai Emery
Emery went on to add that he felt that Rogers is now beyond the level of the Under-21 side and if he isn't part of the senior side then he should have remained with Villa to train at Bodymoor Heath. Rogers has become a key player for Emery after a topsy-turvy first couple of months at the club and from a selfish point of view would want one of his star players to rest and recover before Villa are back in action in a couple of weeks time.
Pundits have been heaping the praise on Rogers
As a result of his electric performances this season, pundits across media platforms have been heaping the praise on the 22-year-old.
""Not many players of his size possess that amount of skill, pace and power. Against Arsenal he was unplayable. At 22 years of age, he was just brushing people away. It was like watching Jonah Lomu in his prime.""Jamie Redknapp
"“I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t make the [England] squad, but we have to once again say, you know, there are so many talented young English players, but he’s a little bit different.""Gary Lineker
""For such a big guy at 6ft 4, the way he drives the ball forward with such balance is hugely impressive. The word out of Aston Villa is he has the appetite to be the best player and we are seeing that already.""Stephen Warnock
Rogers will hope that he will soon add goals and assists to his excellent performances and Villa's next match at home to Everton next weekend provides the perfect opportunity to do so.
UTV