Morgan Rogers, a former Middlesbrough player, has recently been in the headlines for his controversial off-field remarks rather than his on-field performance. Rogers, like many other talented English players, honed his skills in the Championship before earning a move to the Premier League.
Middlesbrough signed Rogers from Manchester City for around £1.5m in 2023, only to sell him to Aston Villa for a reported £16m shortly after. The rivalry between Middlesbrough and Sunderland has reignited on social media following comments made by Rogers after Aston Villa’s recent match against Sunderland ended in a 1-1 draw.
During his time at Middlesbrough, Rogers played a pivotal role in a 4-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in October 2023. When he faced Sunderland once again, this time as an Aston Villa player, tensions rose after an intense Premier League clash that saw Sunderland reduced to ten men due to Reinildo Mandava’s red card.
A heated moment occurred between Rogers and Trai Hume during the match, leading to a strong but fair tackle that left Rogers on the ground. Rogers expressed his concern over the highlight of the tackle on social media, criticizing the glorification of dangerous challenges.
The rivalry between the clubs intensified as Middlesbrough fans supported Rogers, while Sunderland fans mocked his reaction. With Rogers impressing at Aston Villa, speculation has arisen about potential future transfers, with Chelsea reportedly interested in him. Middlesbrough holds a 20% sell-on clause for Rogers, who currently has a market value of around £48m.
Should Aston Villa consider selling Rogers in the future, Middlesbrough stands to gain a significant financial windfall due to their sell-on clause, highlighting the financial impact of successful player development and transfers within the football industry.
