Xabi Alonso: "There weren't many better options than Morgan Rogers, I'll use him alongside Palmer"

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso believes new signing Morgan Rogers will have an immediate impact on the team's play and plans to utilize him alongside star Cole Palmer. The 24-year-old Rogers became the most expensive British footballer in history when his transfer from Aston Villa to Chelsea was finalized last week. He is currently on a break after helping the England national team secure bronze medals at the World Cup, while the London club has begun its pre-season preparations in Sydney, Australia.

"We needed a key player in that position, and I'm confident there weren't many better options than Morgan Rogers. We need players who can make an immediate impact, and I'm sure Morgan won't need much time to adapt to the club, the system, and his teammates. That was the idea – to bring in a top player, and he is exactly that," Xabi Alonso stated, as quoted by the BBC.

The Spanish tactician insisted that Rogers would be ready, despite not yet participating in the "Blues'" training sessions, adding that he believes Rogers can play simultaneously with Cole Palmer, who operates in a similar position. "I have a plan. I have an idea. I'm sure they will link up very well on the pitch. We need to have options. If we achieve balance and these special players are in the right positions, we will be very competitive with and without the ball," Alonso added.

Chelsea is also close to signing 26-year-old central defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, who would become the team's oldest new recruit since 2022. Earlier this summer, the Londoners secured the signatures of forwards Giovanni Kenda from Portuguese Sporting, Emmanuel Emegha from French Strasbourg, and full-back Marco Palestra from Italian Atalanta. Midfielder Valentin Barco is also expected to arrive soon from Strasbourg. With these additions, the "Blues" will have nearly 40 players in their squad, and Alonso admitted that some of the older faces in the team would need to depart.

"We know there will likely be more movement in the market. We need to be flexible and act quickly. The main thing is that we have a clear idea, a clear plan that we have built. This will probably change before the transfer window closes," the Spaniard said. Tomorrow, Chelsea will play a friendly match against Australian Western Sydney Wanderers, with upcoming fixtures against Tottenham, Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan, and Malaysian Johor Darul Ta'zim, as part of the Londoners' summer Asian tour.