Exclusive: Norwich City and Middlesbrough stars tipped to follow Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa path | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has picked creative stars from Norwich City and Middlesbrough for Premier League moves

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that two Championship stars could soon go on to make their mark in the Premier League in a similar fashion to Morgan Rogers.

Former Villa player Hendrie believes Norwich City’s Borja Sainz and Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz could go on to become top-flight stars in the same vein as Rogers, who has impressed since joining Aston Villa in February 2024.

Both players have proven to be star turns in this Championship this season, with a combined 39 goal contributions.

Norwich City and Middlesbrough stars backed to make Premier League breakthrough sooner rather than later

Rogers’ rise at Villa Park has reminded Premier League clubs of the hidden gems plying their trade in the Championship.

After middling loan spells in the Championship with AFC Bournemouth and Blackpool, Rogers left Manchester City to sign for Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee, reported to be worth £1million.

But just six months into his time at the Riverside was enough to convince Aston Villa to bring Rogers back to the Premier League, sealing a transfer worth up to a potential £16million.

And the Villans were instantly vindicated, with Rogers going on to grab 10 goals and five assists in 38 top-flight appearances.

Pundit Hendrie is clearly a fan of Azaz and Sainz, singling the pair out from their Championship peers.

Coincidentally, Azaz has played with Rogers before, coming through the ranks together at West Bromwich Albion’s academy before crossing paths briefly at Middlesbrough.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie shared: “I think it’s always hard when you’re looking at who can step up to be the next Morgan Rogers, coming out of the EFL and who can step up and play in the Premier League.

“You’re just looking round at who’s had that bit of quality this season, the likes of Borja Sainz for Norwich has been outstanding. He obviously had his suspension as well.

“Young Chris Rigg up at Sunderland, Jobe Bellingham, he’s got that physicality and looks like he is really blossoming into a player since leaving Birmingham, to get himself more gametime at a fantastic football club.

“Finn Azaz, he’s one that I’ve watched quite recently.

“He’s dropped off the pace but I think he’s got magnificent amount of quality in that final third. But there’s lots of good young players.”

Talented Sunderland teenagers mentioned in same breath as Finn Azaz and Borja Sainz

Whilst highlighting the move proven talents of Sainz and Azaz, Hendrie also had praise for Sunderland duo Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham.

The teenage pair have both played 31 times for the Black Cats this term, helping Regis Le Bris’ side into a somewhat surprise battle for an automatic promotion spot.

However, Hendrie believes Sainz and Azaz are better suited for the step up to the demands of Premier League football.

He continued: “I do like Sainz from Norwich. I think he’s got that little bit of X-factor, I think he’s got bags of ability.

“Also the likes of Finn Azaz as well, I think in that sort of number 10 role I think they tick the boxes.

“So, these are players that are obviously getting to a little bit of an older age, at 24, in comparison to the likes of Chris Rigg and Bellingham.

“But (Azaz and Sainz are) two fantastic players that could probably make the step up.”