Manchester City are inching closer to capturing their De Bruyne replacement, but one man they let go in 2023 would’ve been the perfect fit.
Pep Guardiola and Man City are looking to build in the summer transfer window, to get back to trophy-winning ways after a below-par season by their standards.
This starts with finding a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who left the club after a sublime 10-year period filled with success.
Reports are suggesting that Lyon’s Rayan Cherki is close to joining the Citizens, who is touted as one of the biggest prospects in Europe at the age of 21.
The French attacking midfielder would certainly add some much-needed creativity to Man City’s attack, but one man they let go has already proved he can do it in the Premier League.
City let Morgan Rogers go for just £1.5m
Morgan Rogers at Man City
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
In 2023, City sold youth prospect Morgan Rogers to Middlesbrough for £1.5m after a couple of unsuccessful loan spells at Bournemouth and Blackpool – but the young man still had plenty to prove.
Rogers impressed for Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, picking up 15 goal contributions by the January transfer window, which is where his current manager, Unai Emery, spotted him.
After an FA Cup third round game against Middlesbrough, Rogers impressed Emery and Aston Villa, which saw the Villains move for Rogers, capturing their man at the end of the January transfer window.
Rogers started to settle at Villa Park towards the end of the 23/24 season, before climbing into super-stardom this season.
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Why Man City may rue letting Rogers go
This season, Rogers has been one of the best performers in the Premier League and Champions League, earning himself his first senior England call-up, and has since made four appearances for his country.
Guardiola has acknowledged Rogers’ impressive performances with the attacking midfielder racking up a staggering 27 goal contributions this term.
His performances have seen Chelsea keep tabs on Rogers, but given his form and pedigree, any deal to prise him away from Villa Park would command a substantial fee.
Morgan Rogers in the Premier League Statistics
Appearances 37
Goals 8
Assists 10
Successful dribbles per 90 1.9
Chances created per 90 1.5
Rogers has cemented himself as one of the first names on Villa’s team sheet, and the stats he has put up this season showcase that he would have been a more than capable De Bruyne successor.
City could be forking up to £40m for Cherki, who is untested in English football, when they had their man waiting in the wings the whole time.