Manchester City’s academy has produced some incredible stars throughout the years.
Phil Foden is the Manchester club’s biggest success story so far, as the midfielder has come through the ranks to be crowned the PFA Players’ Player of the Year last season, as City went on to win their fourth Premier League title in a row.
This season, Man City fans have been impressed by Nico O’Reilly, who has emerged in recent weeks to make the left-back role his own in Pep Guardiola’s team, with big things expected of the youngster next season at the Etihad Stadium.
On the other hand, City have let several stars slip through their fingers, and Sam Allardyce can’t believe the Manchester club let one of the most ‘underrated’ talents in the Premier League go.
Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Sam Allardyce believes Man City made a mistake with Morgan Rogers
Man City let Morgan Rogers go to Middlesbrough during the summer of 2023 for just £1m, and in the meantime, the Englishman has developed into one of the best young talents in the Premier League, with Aston Villa valuing him at £90m ahead of the summer transfer window.
Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce believes City made a mistake letting the 22-year-old leave, with the former Everton manager thinking the Englishman is ‘underrated’.
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“I have a great shout-out for Rogers, by the way. When I see him, I just go, you know, in Man City at the moment, why’d you let him go?” Allardyce said on No Tippy Tappy Football.
“I can’t recognise him sometimes because I don’t know what colour hair he’s got, it is sometimes black, sometimes you come on, it’s blonde.”
“That’s a good idea,” Allardyce stated when it was suggested to give Rogers his underrated Player of the Season award. “I’d give him a big shout this year.”
Micah Richards also believes Man City made a mistake selling Rogers, as the Aston Villa star would have saved them millions this summer.
Florian Wirtz is Man City’s top target for the summer, and the German is expected to cost over £100m as the Manchester club looks to replace Kevin De Bruyne.
Rogers can play in the number 10 role, as well as on the wing, and looking back on his decision in 2023, Guardiola would have likely not let the 22-year-old go after seeing how he has developed at Villa Park this season.
How Morgan Rogers compares to Phil Foden this season
While Rogers has thrived in the Premier League this season, the same cannot be said for Foden at Man City, who is having one of the most underwhelming campaigns of his young career.
The City midfielder is one of the players the Aston Villa star was competing against in Manchester, as their profiles are similar, while they also play in the same positions.
Player Games Goals Assists Minutes
Morgan Rogers 52 14 14 4322
Phil Foden 43 10 6 2823
Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden’s 24/25 stats
Although Foden has a higher ceiling and is the better player of the two, Rogers had the better campaign of the England duo, with the 22-year-old producing more goal contributions for his team throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Ryan Giggs expects Foden to bounce back next season, and if he doesn’t, things will start to look interesting for the Man City star’s future, especially if Rogers shines again, as the Manchester club would truly regret their decision.