{"id":18781,"date":"2026-07-19T09:23:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T09:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=18781"},"modified":"2026-07-19T09:23:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T09:23:49","slug":"the-position-chelsea-pitched-to-morgan-rogers-that-solves-xabi-alonso-headache","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=18781","title":{"rendered":"The position Chelsea pitched to Morgan Rogers that solves Xabi Alonso headache"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Morgan Rogers is set to become Chelsea\u2019s record signing with a medical scheduled on Monday ahead of a \u00a3117m move from Aston Villa \u2013 and his position in the starting XI has now been made clear.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Cole Palmer is his best friend, trying to combine the two in the same starting line-up has always been a major headache for those who wanted Rogers at Chelsea. Well, now they have got their wish.<\/p>\n

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CHELSEA FANS: How are we feeling about this?\ud83d\ude2e<\/h3>\n

\u00a3117m out of absolutely nowhere!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Rogers is set to join Chelsea and Palmer in a British record transfer, worth \u00a31m more than the fee paid by Man City to sign Elliot Anderson. Rogers will put pen to paper on a six-year deal, with a 2033 option.<\/p>\n

Those headaches now become real. Palmer remains indispensable to Alonso\u2019s side, and yet, after a poor year by his standards, he was left out of Thomas Tuchel\u2019s England squad; Rogers was chosen instead.<\/p>\n

The position Chelsea pitched to Morgan Rogers in transfer talks<\/h2>\n

So, how will Xabi Alonso combine the two players? Well, according to Ben Jacobs, Chelsea actually pitched the idea of Rogers playing as a left-sided winger to the Aston Villa star during negotiations.<\/p>\n

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Indeed, Alonso is said to have spoken to Rogers personally in a bid to fend off interest from Arsenal, while Behdad Eghbali led the talks with Aston Villa over a fee. A deal sees Middlesbrough earn a big amount.<\/p>\n

It sees Alonso and Chelsea solve what looked like a problem position going into the new season, with Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho struggling to show why Chelsea spent \u00a395m on them in 2025.<\/p>\n

Jacobs reported on X: \u201cUnderstand Chelsea pitched to Morgan Rogers as a left-wing starter. Rogers equally comfortable and impressive as a number ten, and his versatility part of the appeal to Chelsea.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBut told he is joining under the impression he\u2019ll play on the left, and alongside Cole Palmer. Along with Xabi Alonso, Behdad Eghbali played a key role in convincing Rogers to join,\u201d Jacobs added in his post.<\/p>\n

What does Morgan Rogers news mean for Chelsea\u2019s wingers?<\/h2>\n

Currently, Chelsea have five senior wingers at the club. Pedro Neto remains the most senior, while Estevao and new signing Geovany Quenda provide three options for Alonso on the right of his Chelsea attack.<\/p>\n

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DISCUSS: In this current market, Rogers is a bargain \ud83d\udc40<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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On the left, Gittens and Garnacho \u2013 with Jesse Derry going out on loan to Sporting. Dastan Satpayev is still incredibly young, and the chances are that the young Kazakhstan talent goes on loan to Strasbourg.<\/p>\n

But six wingers, with the addition of Rogers on the left, leaves Alonso with too many options going into a season without European football. A decision will have to be made, and at least one, possibly two, will go.<\/p>\n

Garnacho is yet to return to training, with Roma pushing hard to sign the Argentine. Gittens scored in the 3-1 win over Crawley on Saturday and is likely to remain, but Neto\u2019s future does remain under scrutiny.<\/p>\n

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