Middlesbrough are assuming a strong position as they assert themselves in negotiations with Aston Villa, with the midlands club continuing in their pursuit of Boro’s talented attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers.
The Teesside club have reportedly knocked back a third bid from the team led by Unai Emery, and appear under no pressure to sell, instead insisting that the player’s value will have to be met before a deal is done. According to journalist Dom Shaw of The Northern Echo, the latest bid is rumoured to be around £7.5 million up front, with add-ons that would potentially take the deal up to £15 million.
Reports fluctuate between £1 million and £1.5 million in regard to what Boro paid for the former Manchester City starlet. In fairness, either fee is still a bargain if they are to achieve a return in excess of say £10-12 million. But Steve Gibson, Neil Bausor and Kieran Scott will all have their own idea of what Rogers is worth in today’s market and they will not be bullied into submission just because a Premier League club has come calling.
Huge show of faith in Boro boss
The difficulty with that, is that a player, however professional they may be, will undoubtedly be effected by so much attention, especially from a club so near to where he grew up.
Apart from good business acumen, and incredibly good recruitment in the first instance, what the staunch negotiations from the club do show, is a huge show of faith in Head Coach Michael Carrick. If Rogers does not leave in this window, the club knows that Carrick is one of the best coaches around at nurturing and enhancing young, talented footballers. That will continue with or without Rogers, but if the 21-year-old stays, Carrick is the man to showcase the attributes possessed by the exciting attacker. That could lead to an even more lucrative fee in the summer.
We heard Boro’s Head of Football, Kieran Scott speak fervently about Carrick’s influence earlier in the season and how they are very much on the same page. It has to be said that he is being proven right. Even last season, look at how Carrick enhanced the reputations of players like Chuba Akpom, Cameron Archer, and Ryan Giles. Would those players have earned the deals they did without the influence of Carrick? probably not.
The Carrick effect
Rogers has had 16 goal involvements this season, with 7 goals and 9 assists. Compare that with just 3 goal involvements with Blackpool last season, and 1 involvement the season before that with Bournemouth. (Transfermarkt). Carrick knows how to get the best out of young players.
It is not just from an individual perspective, but the way he allows his whole side to play with such freedom. It means that they are able to display their skills without being shackled by too many positional responsibilities. Carrick does not have too many rigid frameworks and encourages his players to be bold and expressive with the ball.
The fact that Carrick has this philosophy means that the club’s hierarchy are confident that players like Morgan Rogers and Hayden hackney will continue to flourish and develop. A previous manager might have seen the younger players as just ‘development players’, and they might not have been given the opportunity to shine.
As Carrick quite rightly alluded to, Boro still have plenty to play for this season, and as more players return to fitness, they can mount a serious assault on the top end of the table. If Rogers’ value is not met by Villa, they will keep him at the Riverside beyond January. If the West Midland club decide they are able to meet what Boro see as a fair valuation, then they will sell. It will be that simple.
The future is bright
The club have already acted swiftly to bring in players like Finn Azaz, who can play in the same areas of the pitch as Rogers. With Riley McGree also set to return in a few weeks’ time, the club are well stocked in that area. There is no doubt that Rogers would be a loss if he went, but it should not be debilitating enough to drastically effect the overall outcome of Boro’s season.
The recruitment model is currently working very well, and as long as talented young players continue to be sourced, Michael Carrick will continue to enhance their reputation and value. If that carries on, he is surely a big part of this football club for as long as he wants to be.