Former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince has admitted that the England World Cup squad will actively be “tapping up” Morgan Rogers, revealing that major transfer speculation is impossible to escape during an international tournament.
Reflecting on his own experiences at Euro 96, Ince recalled how players would constantly face quiet whispers from rivals trying to lure them to clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City or Arsenal.
He insisted that the heavy links to the Gunners should act as a massive psychological lift for Aston Villa star Rogers rather than a distraction.
Blockbuster transfer
Ince has, however, raised tactical questions regarding the potential blockbuster transfer, questioning exactly where Mikel Arteta would fit Rogers into a star-studded starting XI that already boasts Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze in central areas.
He also threw down the gauntlet to England star Elliot Anderson, warning that the midfielder must start using the World Cup stage to live up to his heavy price tag following the news that he will be playing for Manchester City next season.
During an exclusive conversation with BestBettingSites, Ince said on the transfer talk in World Cup camps: “Listen, it’s never going to go away. You know what I mean?
“In our camps, it was kind of funny because you used to constantly get tapped up by some of the other England players.”
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Quiet word on the side
Ince continued: “They’d say, ‘Come to Arsenal,’ or the Liverpool lads would try to get you to Anfield or whatever it may be. They always have a little quiet word on the side.
“‘Listen, when you go back from England duty, have a chat with so-and-so, see if they fancy coming to Man United or Man City,’ – you can never truly get away from it.
“I think when we played in Euro 96, we weren’t even allowed any newspapers at the hotel because of all the intense transfer speculation that goes on during a tournament.
“And you’re seeing it now with Morgan Rogers – there will be people ringing him up, saying, ‘Oh, have you heard about the Arsenal links? What’s happening?’
“Like any other player at a World Cup who another top team wants, he’ll probably just say, ‘Look, let me just get the World Cup out of the way, and then I’ll make a decision from there.’
“But it’s not something that should negatively affect your performance. If anything, it gives you a massive lift.
“The fact that you’ve got a top team like Arsenal – who are Premier League champions – wanting to bring you to their club, that should elevate you.”
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Anderson on the move too
Anderson has caught the eye for England following a dazzling season for Nottingham Forest, and it emerged this week that Forest have agreed a fee of £116 million with Manchester City, who will aim to sign him after a medical and talks over personal terms.
Ince said: “Actually, that’s why I want to see more from Elliot Anderson on this stage.
“Everyone is talking about his price tag, and while the fee isn’t his fault, this is his moment to perform if he’s being valued that highly. This is where you have to show it.
“But for lads like Rogers, there are always players in camp whispering, ‘No, don’t go to Arsenal, come to City,’ or ‘Come to United.’ They’ll spin it.
“But once the whistle blows, you just focus on the match and let your agent work on things behind closed doors.”
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Fantastic buy
Ince added: “I’m sure once the World Cup is over, he’d be a fantastic buy for Arsenal; he’s been brilliant this season.
“My only question is where he actually fits into their starting XI.
“He likes to play that number 10 role, but Arsenal already have Martin Ødegaard there, and you’ve got Eberechi Eze there too.
“Bukayo Saka has locked down the right wing, so maybe Rogers plays on the left-hand side if Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard aren’t playing.
“When you spend that kind of money, he has to start. So where does he fit in?”
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SportJustSport writers 
Michael Davey