Unai Emery has heaped praise on one player Manchester City let go of last year.
Over the past few years under Pep Guardiola’s reign, numerous players have made moves out of the Etihad Stadium on permanent and temporary deals.
Now though, one figure who said goodbye to the Manchester club within the past year has found himself on the end of some significant praise from his new manager.
Emery amazed by former City player
Speaking in his latest press conference, Emery had this to say about Morgan Rogers including what he’s done in an Aston Villa shirt so far.
He said: “It is not a surprise because when we analysed him playing in Middlesbrough and we decided to sign him, it’s because we watched his characteristics as a player.
“There is still a lot of work to do with him. Every player starts somewhere, League One, League Two, Championship, Premier League. It’s always a process with younger players.
“He was at the Manchester City academy and when he progressed, they decided to let him leave and he was progressing in the Championship.
“Of course, he had and he has shown us his qualities and then in structure, his qualities were perfect to introduce and set in our squad. Now, for different circumstances, he is playing more than we thought.
“One reason is because he is playing well and then because Jacob Ramsey, with the same qualities, is injured. When some players are injured like we had, it’s important to have players ready to play in our tactical ideas.
“He is learning so quickly and we will need him at the end of the season like he is playing now and even better.”
Could Man City end up regretting selling Morgan Rogers?
After making 37 appearances for City’s youth sides during his four years at the club, during which he had several loan spells with sides such as Lincoln City, Bournemouth and Blackpool, scoring nine goals and delivering five assists, the winger was sold to Middlesbrough last summer.
Rogers only spent a few months with the Championship club before he join Villa during the previous summer transfer window in a deal worth around £15m.
Since then, the Englishman has made 12 appearances for Emery’s side across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
With Emery clearly being pleased with what he’s seen from Rogers so far, if the winger continues to play regularly and impress, there could be a time where City may end up regretting their decision to let him leave the club.