Chelsea have completed the £117million signing of Morgan Rogers, giving Xabi Alonso another versatile attacker to build around alongside Cole Palmer.
Rogers has signed a contract until 2033 after Chelsea moved ahead of Arsenal to secure the England international. His conversations with Alonso played a major role in the decision to join the Blues.
The 23-year-old can play on either wing, behind a striker or in central midfield. However, Chelsea are expected to begin with Rogers on the left, allowing Palmer to retain his preferred central role.
The Evening Standard’s assessment of Rogers’ Chelsea role outlined three possible systems available to Alonso.
Rogers starts from the left
Rogers spent around 45% of his Premier League minutes on the left for Aston Villa last season.
He does not operate as a traditional winger who remains close to the touchline. Rogers prefers to receive the ball wide before driving inside, attacking the penalty area or creating space for an overlapping full-back.
That role should complement Palmer. Chelsea’s number 10 often moves towards the right half-space, so Rogers can provide a similar threat from the opposite side without competing for the same areas.
ReadChelsea previously examined how Alonso plans to use Rogers alongside Palmer. The left-sided role provides the clearest route to starting both players together.
Alejandro Garnacho’s potential departure would also create space. Aston Villa have submitted an official bid for the winger, while Roma remain interested.
Possible Chelsea XI: Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Estevão, Palmer, Rogers; João Pedro.
Chelsea pair Rogers with Palmer centrally
Alonso could also return to the 3-4-2-1 system he used successfully at Bayer Leverkusen.
Rogers and Palmer would then operate behind a central striker. Both players can receive possession between the lines, carry the ball through pressure and shoot from outside the penalty area.
The partnership would provide greater freedom than a fixed 4-2-3-1. Palmer could move towards the right while Rogers attacks from the left before both arrive centrally around the striker.
Rogers also offers the running power Palmer sometimes lacks. He can make direct runs beyond the defence when Palmer drops deeper to receive possession.
Paul Merson questioned whether Chelsea needed another player who prefers a central role. ReadChelsea covered his concerns over how Rogers and Palmer would fit together.
Alonso’s system can answer that concern. The pair do not need to occupy identical positions, especially when Rogers provides more movement without the ball.
Possible Chelsea XI: Sánchez; Chalobah, Colwill, Hato; James, Caicedo, Fernández, Cucurella; Palmer, Rogers; Liam Delap.
Rogers provides another option from the right
Rogers can also play from the right when Alonso rotates Estevão or Pedro Neto.
The England international created Anthony Gordon’s goal from that position during the World Cup semi-final against Argentina. He used his strength to beat his marker before delivering across the penalty area.
Rogers is more comfortable attacking from the left, but his versatility will help Chelsea manage a demanding schedule. Estevão is returning from a serious hamstring injury, while Neto’s future remains uncertain.
Using Rogers from the right could also allow Palmer to begin centrally and another winger to retain natural width on the left. Alonso would gain a more powerful attacking structure against teams who defend deep.
Chelsea’s official announcement described Rogers as one of the Premier League’s leading young attacking talents after he contributed to 40 goals during 85 league appearances for Villa.
Possible Chelsea XI: Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Rogers, Palmer, Gittens; João Pedro.
The left remains Rogers’ most likely starting position. However, his ability to move across the attack gives Alonso several ways to change Chelsea without replacing Palmer.
The £117million fee creates immediate expectations. Rogers must now turn his versatility into consistent goals and assists at Stamford Bridge.
