Morgan Rogers gets perfect Chelsea welcome gift as iconic shirt number confirmed
Morgan Rogers will wear one of the most iconic shirt numbers in Chelsea history, following in the footsteps of a Premier League legend.
Morgan Rogers(Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea have confirmed that Morgan Rogers will follow in the footsteps of Eden Hazard and wear the number 17 shirt. The Blues signed the 23-year-old attacking midfielder from Aston Villa in a deal worth £117million, making him the most expensive British player of all time.
football.london understands that Rogers isn’t expected to join his new Chelsea teammates for the upcoming pre-season tour across Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia. The England international, who has signed a six-year contract, which includes the option for a further 12-months, may not make his debut until August 15, when the Blues host Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.
The pre-season friendly against the La Liga outfit will be Xabi Alonso’s first at his new home and the last before the new Premier League campaign gets underway. Having only recently returned from the United States following the World Cup, Rogers is set to take a three-week break.
He will have big shoes to fill when he reports for duty in west London, taking on the number 17, but it’s a welcoming gift fitting of such a significant signing. The iconic jersey was previously worn by Hazard, as well as Pedro and Mateo Kovacic. Andrey Santos, who joined Manchester United from Chelsea for about £50m earlier this month, was the last to don the shirt.
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Raheem Sterling, Mohamed Salah, and Emmanuel Petit also had stints in the number 17 jersey. Although Rogers may not don the famous blue shirt until next month, he’s looking forward to getting stuck in.
“I’m so excited,” said Rogers. “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid. I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading.
“That’s why I’m here and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve had a few conversations with him (Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso) and I think it’s important for me to be here that I need to understand what the manager’s like, how he is and how he wants to operate.
“It very much fits with the way I see the game, the way I want to play, and the way I want to be me, and be free and express myself. Him being a part of that was a massive factor in me being here.”
On playing with Cole Palmer, whom he grew up with, Rogers said: “I’ve known Cole since I was about 14, first in the England (youth) teams and then when we were both at Man City together.
“We’ve been speaking about this for a while; we always would love to have played together. So, for it to happen, we’re both excited. He’s non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can’t wait.
“I think that’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day. It’s something I’m really excited about.”
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