Rogers on England ‘dream’

Morgan Rogers described a proud feeling after receiving his maiden call-up to England’s senior team.

The Three Lions face UEFA Nations League opposition in the form of Greece and Republic of Ireland in the final international break of 2024, during which the Aston Villa midfielder could win his first senior cap.

Speaking to the media with the national team on Tuesday, Rogers confessed the pride he felt at breaking the news to his family, and how the feeling generally is a dream come true.

He said: “I’m so thankful and grateful I’m here now, and I can say I’ve finally been called up. It’s a great honour.

“I just got a message saying the manager [Lee Carsley] wanted to speak to me. I spoke to him, and I was smiling from ear to ear. I couldn’t believe it.

“It’s what you work for, and what you dream of when you’re younger - just being in this position - but I won’t stop, I’ll keep going. I want to go to that next level. I want to keep progressing and keep developing.

“It’s a proud moment for me and especially for my family as well. It’s a nice call to make to your family, telling them. They’re just immensely proud and happy for me.

“They’ve been by my side from the start, taking me to games when I was younger. Now, they still come to pretty much every game regardless of where it is.

“I wouldn’t be the person or the player I am if it wasn’t for them. I am a big family person, so that’s massive for me, that I can make them proud and give them something back for everything they’ve done for me over the years. No doubt they’ll be at both [England] games, 100%.”

Having had a couple of days in training with his international teammates, the 22-year-old admitted a ‘pinch me’ moment at St. George’s Park, as he shares the pitch with the country’s elite players, before discussing his ambitions and aims for his time with England.

“Playing with these players now is a ‘pinch me’ moment, but I’m just excited to learn what I can, to see what it’s about and show what I’m about at the same time,” Rogers added.

“I just try and push myself every day and see what new levels I can reach. I have probably surprised myself a bit at times this season with how well I’ve done, but I’ve always had that confidence and that belief in myself that I can get to this level and maintain it.

“So, it’s more about maintaining my consistency, keeping it going and hopefully I can get better and better and just keep improving.

“It’s about just soaking it all in, the experience. Being around the calibre of players I’m around, take it in like a sponge and take in bits of people’s games, how they train and how they work, because they are at the top of their games, and that’s where I want to get to.

“I aspire to be a player in the team, but a consistent player in the team playing regularly for my country. I’m going to enjoy the week.”

There was also praise for Unai Emery and Aston Villa teammates, who Rogers credits as a catalyst behind his impressive rise since signing from Middlesbrough in January.

The Birmingham-born playmaker is determined to continue pushing and cited his shift in mentality over pre-season as a key enabler of his standout form this season.

He added: “Not just me, I think any player would say that trust from a manager is the most important thing, and he [Emery] gave me that, from minute one.

“He threw me in at the deep end when people were injured last season, and gave me a chance to shine and develop, and to become the person I am now. He’s always on top of me to get to that level and to maintain the level.

“When you have that person behind you, and you’re on the pitch and you know that he’s there for you and he’s always going to push you and demand more from you, it gives you that extra motivation, and something from within to just push yourself and impress.

“He demands and pushes me every day, and so do the players. I’ve got players around me that push me every day to improve and get better, and consistency is the most important thing.

“I want to be the person that, when you come to watch me play, you know what you’re going to get from me.

“My mentality is one that I am going to keep going and keep trying to do the right things no matter what, and that’s where, hopefully, more good performances come than bad ones.”