Alan Hutton has highlighted the daunting task Aston Villa would face replacing Morgan Rogers, even if the club secures a £100 million transfer fee for the talented young midfielder.
The 23-year-old England international has attracted significant interest from top clubs, with Arsenal reportedly preparing to launch a major bid to sign him soon. Aston Villa, however, are firm on their valuation, reportedly demanding no less than £100 million, factoring in the current inflated transfer market and Middlesbrough’s 20% sell-on clause.
Hutton emphasized that the fee might be substantial, but Villa would struggle to find a player who can match Rogers’ influence and potential. Since joining Unai Emery’s side, Rogers has become integral to the squad’s dynamics both on and off the pitch.
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“Rogers is a huge loss because replacing him is not easy. Yes, £100 million sounds huge, but you still have to find someone of his quality,” Hutton said in an interview with PariuriX.com.
“When the club brought him in from Middlesbrough, no one expected him to reach such a high level so quickly. He’s not just talented but also a character who blends well within the squad, earning respect from teammates like John McGinn for his humility.”
He added, “Villa will need players with both talent and strong personalities like Morgan to push the team forward. Losing him will make that progression much harder.”
Currently representing England at the World Cup, Rogers has been used more as an impact substitute under manager Thomas Tuchel, who has favored Jude Bellingham as the starting number ten.
“I feel for Morgan because, before the World Cup, there was much debate about whether he or Jude Bellingham would take the number ten spot,” Hutton explained. “Bellingham is exceptional and performing brilliantly for Real Madrid. Unfortunately, Morgan has to wait patiently for his chance.”
He continued, “When that opportunity comes, Morgan must seize it to showcase his talent. It’s not his fault he hasn’t played more; it’s a tactical choice. But he definitely has the quality to make a significant impact when called upon.”