Chelsea and Aston Villa have agreed a deal worth \u00a3117 million for Morgan Rogers.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Despite Arsenal being in the driving seat to land the 23-year-old, it was the Blues who moved quickest after England’s World Cup semi-final exit.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Morgan Rogers to become Xabi Alonso’s first big statement signing<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Alonso was instrumental in Rogers’ decision to move to Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Part of the reason the former Bayer Leverkusen boss agreed to succeed Liam Rosenior was because he was promised an active role in the club’s transfer policies, and it’s clear he’s doing exactly what was expected.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to the Standard, the new Chelsea manager convinced the Aston Villa attacker to join his project where he will undoubtedly play a key role.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Even though his fee is astronomical, more excitingly, the Blues’ sporting department feel Rogers has not yet hit his full potential.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chelsea feel the England international will develop further and could become a genuine world-beater, following a similar trajectory to Jude Bellingham following his move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Consistency and playing in his more effective position will be crucial to getting the best out of Rogers, and Alonso has already decided where his main man will be stationed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What position Rogers will play in under Alonso<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Although Rogers can play anywhere across the front line, including at number 10, he’s best playing on the left-wing.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And Alonso has already identified this because according to these latest reports, the Spaniard has promised Rogers he’ll be the first choice on the left.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Until now, Alejandro Garnacho has been Chelsea’s regular left winger, but after scoring just once in the Premier League last season, the Argentine is already on his way out.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Roma are in talks to sign the former Manchester United winger, but it remains to be seen if they’ll be able to meet Chelsea’s \u00a343 million valuation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jamie Gittens was an exciting prospect but the young Englishman has been plagued with injuries since joining from Borussia Dortmund last year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Therefore, it’s not surprising to see Alonso prioritise a new left-sided winger, but with Rogers looking nailed on to go to Arsenal, and the Blues agreeing to pay \u00a3117 million, the news really did come out of no where.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rogers will leave Villa Park having scored 31 goals in 125 games in all competitions. He was part of Unai Emery’s squad that lifted last season’s UEFA Europa League.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/span><\/span><\/div>\nFollow<\/span>