Chelsea have been warned over their £117m agreement for Morgan Rogers after Zlatan Ibrahimovic questioned whether the England international warrants such an enormous fee.
The Blues have reached an agreement with Aston Villa for the 23-year-old, who is expected to undergo his medical before completing his move to Stamford Bridge.
Rogers scored 14 goals and registered 12 assists across 55 appearances for Villa last season. However, Ibrahimovic believes one productive campaign should not be enough to command a nine-figure valuation.
Speaking while working as a World Cup pundit for Fox Sports, the AC Milan senior advisor criticised the rapid increase in transfer fees.
“Not every player with one good season is worth £100m,” Ibrahimovic said, in comments carried by Football Italia.
Chelsea must prove Rogers is worth the record fee
Ibrahimovic also questioned how players such as Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Junior and Michael Olise should be valued if Rogers costs £117m.
His comments underline the expectations Rogers will face at Chelsea. The proposed fee would make him the most expensive signing in the club’s history and the most expensive English footballer.
ReadChelsea has already examined how Chelsea completed their rapid Rogers agreement after moving ahead of Arsenal within 24 hours.
Xabi Alonso reportedly presented Rogers with a clear plan to start from the left while also operating alongside Cole Palmer. His versatility, Premier League experience and physical reliability helped convince Chelsea to move decisively.
The price still creates immediate pressure. Chelsea are not paying only for future potential. Rogers must improve Alonso’s starting side and provide consistent attacking output.
Ibrahimovic’s criticism will not determine whether the transfer succeeds. Rogers’ performances at Stamford Bridge will provide the answer.
Chelsea have won the race for one of England’s leading young attackers. They must now show why they believed £117m represented an acceptable investment.
