Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Aston Villa fans not to turn on Morgan Rogers as he nears a record-breaking move to Chelsea.
The 23-year-old is set to join the Blues in a £117million transfer to become the most expensive British player in history.
Despite the Villans being set to play Champions League football in the 2026/27 season, with Chelsea not in Europe altogether, the England international has jumped at the chance to play under Xabi Alonso.
Versatile attacking midfielder Rogers departs Villa Park after two-and-a-half-years, where he scored 31 times in 125 games across all competitions.
One of those strikes came in last campaign’s Europa League final against Freiburg – helping the club end their 30-year trophy drought.
He is one of three high-profile players that will depart the Midlands giants this window, with Youri Tielemans already joining Manchester United in a £35m switch.
Left-back Lucas Digne meanwhile is closing in on a return to Paris Saint-Germain after the Champions League holders activated his release clause – worth around £8.5million.
Roger that
After Arsenal refused to stump up more than £80m for Rogers, the player is now poised to be unveiled as a new Chelsea star.
For Villa cult hero Agbonlahor, he has revealed that he sent a text message to Rogers on Monday night after he passed his Blues medical.
Speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast show, Agbonlahor said: “I watched him [at the World Cup], obviously, Aston Villa fan.
“And I had to message him last night [Monday night after the World Cup final], I said to him, ‘Listen, thank you for everything you’ve done for my football club, wish you all the best in the future.’
He replied, ‘Thank you, mate, I really appreciate it.’
“And I want every Villa fan to be like that with Digne, with Tielemans, with Rogers.
“These players won our first [European] trophy since 1982 and have been a fantastic group of players for this football club.
“They’ve moved on now, no problem, I’m sure Morgan Rogers will get a good standing ovation when he comes back to Villa Park.”
And Agbonlahor believes he will be a roaring success at Stamford Bridge – tipping him to reach another level under the tutelage of Alonso.
Commenting on where he could fit in at Chelsea, he remarked: “If Alonso does play that 3-4-2-1 that he liked at Leverkusen and play two 10s.
“He could play [Cole] Palmer and Rogers as two 10s, but he can play off the left – not off the right – it doesn’t suit him over there.
“But what you’ve got from this player is somebody who will receive the ball under pressure.
“And I’ve never seen a player who can drive with the ball- he’s quicker when he’s running with the ball.
“He’s got such strength, skill and he can finish as well.
“Honestly you’ve got an all-round top player here in Morgan Rogers.
“I think he’s going to get better and better.
“Let’s not forget he’s only 23, he’s going to learn a lot from Alonso and I think he’s going to be a huge success at Chelsea Football Club.”