If the 2025/26 campaign was something of a disaster for Chelsea, they are certainly making amends in the summer transfer market, having completed a record-breaking transfer for Morgan Rogers.
The Arsenal-bound attacker – or so they thought – has joined the Blues in a deal worth £117m, eclipsing previous nine-digit buys for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Rogers brings a wealth of experience for club and country, scoring in the Europa League final last season as Aston Villa beat Freiburg 3-0.
He has been praised as being “at the heart of everything good” at Villa Park in the past by pundit Stephen Warnock. No longer; now he plays for Chelsea, where he could develop into an undeniable superstar.
Why Morgan Rogers could be the signing of the summer
Let’s get it out of the way: Yes, this is an awful lot of money, more than Chelsea had ever spent on a single player before. But Rogers is worth it. Chelsea have the money to spend, and he will make a world of difference in getting the Alonso era up and running.
The 23-year-old is among the most dangerous attacking midfielders in Europe. He is a powerful and tireless runner who loves to shoot while also maintaining emphasis on his creativity and playmaking.
It’s exactly what Chelsea need. With Alejandro Garnacho on the way out, Alonso will wield a dynamic and versatile new attacking cog who has Premier League experience and a unique set of athletic and technical abilities.
|
Morgan Rogers – Career Stats by Season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Apps |
Goals + assists |
|
Left winger |
106 |
29 + 14 |
|
Attacking midfield |
82 |
23 + 18 |
|
Right winger |
44 |
9 + 17 |
|
Centre-forward |
22 |
6 + 4 |
It’s a bit more abstract a positive, but Rogers is known to have a close friendship with Cole Palmer, and it could be significant in guiding the fallen England international back into the limelight.
Exciting times, and BlueCo are already looking to repeat their trick.
Chelsea in talks to sign another Premier League star
Chelsea have hit the jackpot on Rogers, even for such a hefty fee, but Alonso still needs a connective force at the heart of his system – to power it, guide it forward.
An approach was made for Sunderland skipper Granit Xhaka, but now, the Blues appear intent on signing Alex Scott from Bournemouth, having already seen an offer knocked back this week. £80m may get it done but the Cherries are not keen to lose him.
Now, according to The Standard, Scott has made it clear that he is interested in exploring a move to Stamford Bridge, having already rejected a new contract at the Vitality Stadium. Arsenal are also interested, but Chelsea will take confidence in the fact they have already beaten the Gunners to one England star’s signature this summer.
Scott, 22, has been at Bournemouth for three years, but he really came into his own in the Premier League last year, showing off the flashy, silky coat that he wears on the pitch while deepening his intelligence and awareness in midfield.
He was instrumental for new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola with the Cherries last year, and while Bournemouth believe his development would be best served where he is, Chelsea might just have an opening.
Indeed, there is no certainty around Enzo Fernandez and his long-term future in west London. The Argentina international has made it clear that he wants to leave, but Chelsea will only acquiesce if their £120m asking price is met. Should he go, Scott could be the perfect addition.
Described as a “special talent” by Cherries teammate Lewis Cook, Scott started 34 Premier League games last year. He won five duels and recovered 5.6 balls on average each game, mopping up behind the centre circle and dribbling, gliding, forward with consistency, keeping the ball until done with it, playing in an onrushing teammate.
He is not a similar player to Rogers, but they do share a deep-rooted physicality and athleticism that allows them to open themselves up to shrewd technicalities when on the ball and trying to make things happen.
Beating Arsenal to another signature would be nice indeed, and it’s now up to the powers that be at Stamford Bridge to make it happen.
Scott is still improving, but he has a long way still to go. But when considering his tempo-setting tone in the engine room, he could be the perfect addition for Alonso, charging a midfield that will need to resist against the press and direct traffic with speed and precision.
He is an exciting midfielder, for sure, and as long as Bournemouth don’t start demanding silly money, this could be a move that catapults Chelsea back into the ascendancy, with Rogers already in the bag.
