Morgan Rogers has been called out by Piers Morgan for a comment he made after signing for Chelsea.
The 23-year-old was one of the most in-demand players in world football this summer after shining for Aston Villa in recent years.
Arsenal were keen to secure his signature with Mikel Arteta believed to have made him his top target this summer. However, it was Chelsea who won the race to sign the Englishman as he completed a £117m move on Tuesday evening.
It has since been claimed by the Athletic that Arsenal had valued Rogers at £80m and were determined to stick to it, despite Villa’s insistence on attaining a record fee for a British player.
Piers Morgan Slams Morgan Rogers
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers representing EnglandIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Caean Couto
In Chelsea's video announcing the signing of Rogers, the Man City academy graduate was asked by Jason Cundy why he had chosen to sign for the Blues. He replied:
"I’m joining the biggest club in London.The way the club wants to go and how it wants to move forward, it is something that I want to be a part of and I think it was just perfect for me.
"I’m a free spirit, free-flowing footballer, I like to take risks, make things happen, change games, whatever that might take. I can’t wait to get going."
Rogers calling Chelsea the biggest club in London has not gone down well with some, including Piers Morgan. Taking to social media, the Arsenal fan responded:
"They’re not even the biggest in West London… Brentford finished higher in the League last season."
Morgan Rogers Speaks About Xabi Alonso and Cole Palmer
Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers celebrates winning the Europa League final against Freiburgvia Reuters
Rogers was full of praise for Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso as he expressed his excitement about working with him. He said, per Chelsea's official website:
"I’ve had a few conversations with him and I think it’s important for me to be here that I need to understand what the manager’s like, how he is and how he wants to operate.
"It very much fits with the way I see the game, the way I want to play, and the way I want to be me, and be free and express myself. Him being a part of that was a massive factor in me being here."
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A move to Chelsea also sees Rogers reunite with his good friend, Cole Palmer. The two formed a close bond while they were playing together at Manchester City.
He said of Palmer: "I’ve known Cole since I was about 14, first in the England [youth] teams and then when we were both at Man City together. We’ve been speaking about this for a while; we always would love to have played together. So, for it to happen, we’re both excited.
"He’s non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can’t wait. I think that’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day. It’s something I’m really excited about."