What is Rogers' style of play?
- Published
It is difficult to clearly define Morgan Rogers by a fixed position.
As with all players, getting the best from them means appreciating the wider role they are capable of. A player's ideal role can also change depending on team-mates around them and the opposition's set-up.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery gave Rogers a major role in the side's recent successes, something that contributed to his hefty transfer fee.
Emery's system is built upon defensive solidity, often in a 4-4-2 shape off the ball. Villa often spent long periods without the ball before attacking into large areas of space at pace.
This is a style of play that suits Rogers, who combines impressive ball-striking with standout athleticism.
Last season, he generally played on the left of a 4-2-3-1, narrowing in from the wing and leaving the left-back to provide the width.
From here, he often opted to curl the ball into the far post with his stronger right foot - but he could just as easily drag his shot inside the near post at the last moment.
Out of possession, Rogers usually defended as a left midfielder in Emery's 4-4-2 - but he is capable of pressing in a front two alongside a traditional number nine.
His positional versatility allows him to play as a narrow winger, on both the left and right, before making runs akin to a centre-forward.
He consistently injects pace into his team's attack with his direct nature, both with and without the ball.
