Unai Emery has hit out at England’s new regime for sending Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers to the Under-21 squad.
Rogers has shone in the opening two Premier League fixtures and was tipped for selection by Lee Carsley, who is in interim charge of the senior squad following the departure of Gareth Southgate.
While Emery was careful not to question Carsley’s selections, the Villa boss is baffled that Rogers was still called into the Under-21s, arguing that such fixtures will not help his development and bring only the risk of injury – as happened to Jacob Ramsey for much of the last campaign.
‘What is a player like Morgan Rogers gaining by playing for the U21s?’ said Emery. ‘I am surprised. I respect that they are not calling him for the first team, but the second team?
‘He is not a player for the second team. Hopefully he will come back here in good shape. Last year, Ramsey came back injured and barely played all season which was very painful for us and we lost a lot without him.
Unai Emery has slammed England's decision and believes it won't help his player's development to play for the Under 21s
‘If they had called him for the senior team, I could understand it. Morgan Rogers is a reality now and he is confirming it – not to play for the Under-21s.’
Ramsey was part of the England Under-21 squad that won the European Championship in summer 2023 but sustained a foot injury during that campaign. The midfielder struggled with injury throughout 2023-24 and made only 16 Premier League appearances.
Emery added: ‘I felt the same about Ramsey last year – that he was ready to play in the senior team. Instead he went with the Under-21s, got the injury and then struggled through the season.’