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Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers appeared in his first-ever Champions League campaign last season.
It was a landmark moment in what has been a rapid rise for the 23-year-old, going from appearing for Blackpool and Middlesbrough just a few seasons ago, to England caps and becoming one of the Premier League’s most notable players.
But, as for many players, Europe’s premier competition is seen as the true testing ground to see where you’re at in the football food chain.
Morgan Rogers describes first Champions League campaign
It’s fair to say, in Rogers’ case, he passed with flying colours.
In 12 outings, he scored four goals and provided two assists, helped by the memorable hat-trick he netted against Celtic at Villa Park.
“To get to the quarter-finals and play PSG, who were the eventual winners, in my first Champions League, not many people get those experiences in their career,” Rogers tells FourFourTwo now, speaking at PUMA’s new store on Oxford Street in London, the brand’s first European flagship store.
“I valued that massively,” he continued.
“I looked at myself and thought about what I did well, what I could improve, and you just keep moving and getting better.”
The Midlands outfit only managed to secure Europa League football for this term, but are still battling it out for entry to the top tournament next season.
Nevertheless, the England international sees that maiden voyage as something that cannot be taken off him, with the impact on his progression already banked.
“It was huge for my career,” he said. “It was about fine margins, and playing in those big games where everyone was watching, you learn a lot about yourself.
"Are you at that level? What do you need to do? What can you improve?”
Going off his first taste of Champions League action, it feels safe to answer the first of those questions positively.
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