England played Croatia yesterday for what seems like the umpteenth time in the last few months, and just like on the previous occasions, the Three Lions triumphed, though this time only by a narrow, 2-1 scoreline.
Still, a win’s a win, and Morgan Rogers still managed to find himself among the goals, scoring his third international goal and his second in the last three games. In fact, our record-signing has five goal contributions (2g+3a) in his last eight England appearances, dating back to the knockout
rounds of the World Cup. His place in the selection is certainly under no threat.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for his bestest friend, Cole Palmer, who was once again left at home by Thomas Tuchel, and once again amid insinuations that our starboy is not committed enough to the England cause. And that’s not just a media narrative, it’s something perpetuated by Tuchel himself.
But that’s a bunch of nonsense as far as Rogers is concerned. A flat out “lie”, even.
“[That’s] a lie. He wants to be here. He wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country as he always has done. People just see it as news and say the easy thing.
“We all know he had a difficult year last year with injuries and I know personally he’s been managing them injuries ever since. He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100% himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself. Of course he does, who wouldn’t? But he also has to look at his body. He wants to play for 10 to 15 years, he also has to manage himself.
“If he has to manage himself in the short term for the greater good then he has to do that and you have to fully support it. It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England. It’s a nonsense really that people are questioning someone that wants to play for England. You see the joy and smile on his face, how much he loves the game, so I honestly don’t get it and he doesn’t get it. But it’s something he has to deal with but I can assure you he wants to be here and he wants to play for his country.”
-Morgan Rogers; source: The Guardian
Spoken like a true friend, and a true professional. Meanwhile, Tuchel is apparently “totally fine” with all of this … or at least will be until results start going against him.
