Aston Villa: Don Goodman ‘surprised’ by Morgan Rogers news as Chelsea transfer comparison made

Harsh' Carabao Cup yellow cards rule that means Morgan Rogers misses out for Middlesbrough - Teesside Live

Don Goodman is “surprised” signed Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window for the price they did.

Villa paid an initial £8million for Rogers last month in a deal that could potentially rise to £15m if various add-ons are triggered

While Goodman is a fan of Rogers, he has questioned the timing of the move and the valuation and admitted suitors will be waiting to take him already if it doesn’t work out at Villa Park.

“I was surprised Aston Villa went for him at this time of year and I was surprised by the figure,” Goodman told Villa News. “I have no doubt that Morgan Rogers has enormous potential, but that’s all it is at the moment.

“Based on what I’ve seen from him at Lincoln, Blackpool, Bournemouth and Middlesbrough, there’s nothing I saw that made me think ‘Aston Villa should go and sign Morgan Rogers’, certainly not for £15m.

“I never really saw it, so it is a surprise to me. He’s gone there early. How much game time he’s going to get I’m unsure. Again, I would question the timing of the move.

But once a massive club like that comes calling, how are you going to turn that down. You’ve got to back yourself. They’ve brought Rogers in for potential.

“When you look at what Chelsea have played for players with potential, maybe it’s a no-brainer. If it doesn’t work out, it’s a drop in the ocean so it’s a win-win for Rogers and also for Villa.

“If it doesn’t work out, there’s no doubt there’ll be suitors waiting for him. To bring him in in January, I don’t really see the reason for that, but they clearly rate him highly and believe they can develop him quite quickly.”