Player’s Premier League credentials called into question as Aston Villa pursue Middlesbrough deal | OneFootball

Don Goodman has expressed his surprise at the links between Middlesbrough winger Morgan Rogers and Premier League Aston Villa, but believes Rogers has "time on his side".

Rogers has enjoyed a steadily impressive start to his Middlesbrough career, featuring 33 times and scoring on seven occasions since joining permanently from Manchester City in the summer.

The 21-year-old added further to his profile by scoring an excellent individual goal in the 6-1 defeat at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Tuesday night.

After a poor start to the season, Rogers has been an important part of the Middlesbrough side which has risen to 11th in the Championship, three points outside the play-off positions.

Rogers has featured 26 times in the Championship so far this season, starting on 14 occasions and averaging 51 minutes per game.

Aston Villa interest in Rogers

The former Manchester City academy player's promising start to his time at Middlesbrough has begun attracting suitors, most notably Premier League side, Aston Villa.

Villa's interest in Rogers was first reported on January 18th by The Athletic. Aston Villa have reportedly had two offers turned down for Morgan Rogers already, falling short of Middlesbrough's £10million valuation.

Daily Mail journalist Tom Collomosse has reported that Rogers is keen to make the move to Villa Park and Boro are aware of this, with Villa preparing to make a third bid.

set to return with their third bid before the January deadline.

Middlesbrough are reluctant to lose Rogers and Michael Carrick has remained bullish.

"You'll keep reading a lot of things at this time of year, don't read too much into it to be honest," Carrick told The Northern Echo following Middlesbrough's defeat to Chelsea.

"He's our player at the minute, so I have no reason to believe anything otherwise."

Goodman: "I haven't seen what Villa have seen"

Despite his promising form for Middlesbrough, Don Goodman has expressed doubts over whether Rogers is ready for the Premier League.

The former West Brom man said, via Casino Alpha: "I've got to be honest, that link just blew my mind. I just don't see it yet, but he's only 21-years-old, so he's got time on his side.

"I haven't seen what Aston Villa have seen, I didn't see it in his loan spells at Blackpool and Bournemouth and I haven't seen it at Middlesbrough this season, but he's recorded six assists, which means he's making an impact. Maybe I'm being a little bit harsh.

"Fair play to him, I do think that when you come through the Manchester City academy system, you are held in higher regard. He's got ability, no doubt about it, but I haven't seen the consistency and Premier League star quality yet."

Rogers would be wise to stay at Middlesbrough

Rogers is clearly a very talented and dynamic player and looks to have a very high ceiling to his game. He needs more time to develop and really find his form, in the same way he was able to play in League One at Lincoln City.

Rogers has only played 61 Championship games and would be wise to stay at Middlesbrough until at least the end of the season.

He has the potential to really thrive under Carrick given the game time and could flourish into a real talent with his coaching.

If he does move to Aston Villa, he will also be playing under a manager that can really help him to develop in Unai Emery. However, quite whether he's afforded game-time to truly develop in the Premier League is another thing.