Three years before becoming Chelsea's record signing for £117 million, Morgan Rogers saw his transfer value plummet to just £1 million and faced uncertainty about his football future.
As Chelsea prepare to face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge this Saturday, we look back at the challenging phase in Rogers' career. It was at Bournemouth where the player's loan spell stalled after starting out at Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion. In an interview with Chelsea's club channel, Rogers admitted that this period taught him to manage setbacks and block out negative external voices, focusing instead on what he could control.
Difficult loans and struggles at Bournemouth
Rogers' first loan experience at Lincoln City, under Michael Appleton, yielded 6 goals and 2 assists in 28 matches. However, his loan at Bournemouth under Scott Parker proved to be more challenging, with the forward starting in just three games and netting only one goal. This was followed by a stint at Blackpool, where the club faced relegation, and Rogers openly reflected on moments of doubt regarding his career achievements, especially in comparison to his peers like Cole Palmer.
Rise through Middlesbrough and Aston Villa
The turning point came with his move to Middlesbrough for £1 million. His impressive performances in the EFL Cup caught the eye of Aston Villa, where he joined for an initial £8 million. Having transitioned from a promising talent valued at £9 million to a low of £1 million before his astronomical transfer to Chelsea for £117 million, Rogers has shown that the road to success is rarely a straight line, and that setbacks can often serve as the necessary launchpad for future triumphs.
