Chelsea's Xabi Alonso Praises Morgan Rogers Signing

Xabi Alonso, the new manager of Chelsea, expressed his excitement about the signing of Morgan Rogers, describing him as “a great signing” who will make the club more competitive. Rogers, a 23-year-old England midfielder, was acquired from Aston Villa for £117 million, setting a record for a British player.

Alonso stated that he was “delighted” to bring Rogers to Stamford Bridge ahead of his first match in charge, a pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers. He emphasized the importance of Rogers in the attacking midfield, noting the need for a significant player in that position.

Alonso plans to integrate Rogers with Cole Palmer and other new signings, aiming for a balanced team that can perform effectively both with and without the ball. Chelsea had pursued Rogers for two years, ultimately outbidding Arsenal after the latter declined to meet Aston Villa's asking price.

Rogers is currently not on the pre-season trip to Australia due to his participation in the World Cup, where England finished third.