Morgan Rogers’ three reasons for choosing Chelsea over Arsenal in transfer U-turn

Chelsea have agreed a transfer for Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, beating Arsenal to the England international’s signature

Chelsea have given Morgan Rogers multiple reasons to join the club instead of a move to Arsenal. News emerged on Saturday that the Blues had agreed a deal to sign the Aston Villa star this summer, beating the Gunners to the playmaker’s signature.

football.london understands that a £117million deal has been verbally agreed between Chelsea and Villa after an offer from the Blues was accepted by the Europa League winners.

Arsenal had been heavily linked with a move for Rogers throughout the summer transfer window, but the England international now appears set to complete a switch to Stamford Bridge instead.

Rogers has been part of the England squad at this summer’s World Cup, helping the Three Lions reach the semi-final and beat France to secure third place in the tournament.

There has now been a fresh update about Rogers’ future, particularly around what Chelsea told the 23-year-old to convince him to sign for the Blues.

The Athletic have reported that one of the reasons that Rogers has chosen to join Chelsea is the project that has been sold to the versatile forward.

Another reason is the new manager Xabi Alonso, who is currently preparing for his first season as Chelsea boss following his appointment towards the end of the previous campaign.

It’s also understood by football.london that Chelsea have informed Rogers that they plan to use him as a left winger next season, something which has also helped convince the England international to move to Stamford Bridge.

There have been reports that Rogers is expected to sign a six-year contract to become a Chelsea player, with a deal also potentially including the option of a further 12 months.

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Rogers is expected to undergo a medical to become a Chelsea player imminently, after which point a deal will be expected to be completed.

Should a deal be completed, it would see Chelsea set a new club-record fee for a new signing, surpassing the £107million paid to Benfica to sign Enzo Fernandez back in 2023.

Alonso spoke to reporters at his opening press conference earlier this week, with the new Chelsea boss saying: “The way they have, not so long ago, played and competed on the highest level gave me assurance that the potential of the team was there, because of the quality of the players, because of the quality of the way they have played.

“So now it will be the work to carry on many of the things that they’ve done and to know that we come in a very competitive level, the Premier League, but that’s the challenge.

“But I’m sure that with the commitment of everyone, with, for sure, hard work, that’s a must, and with the quality on the decisions that we have to take, for sure, we will be there to enjoy a great season. That’s what we want.

“We know that the success is a consequence of the good work, of the quality decisions, of the good culture that we want to build, and that’s the beauty of such a complex but nice process with so many people involved.

“Always getting the best of everyone, and everyone is committed with the last goal that is being the best we can and giving our best.

“If we all share, day by day, that feeling, I think that we can be optimistic about the future. Tomorrow we start. Tomorrow is day one. We want to feel it. To feel that this is starting something exciting.”