{"id":19403,"date":"2026-07-21T00:10:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T00:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=19403"},"modified":"2026-07-21T00:10:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T00:10:59","slug":"xabi-alonso-appointment-proving-to-be-a-masterstroke-with-morgan-rogers-repeat-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=19403","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso appointment proving to be a masterstroke with Morgan Rogers repeat possible"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Everyone thought Chelsea would lose the battle for Aston Villa\u2019s Morgan Rogers this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arsenal were also interested in Rogers and are in a much better position than their London rivals.<\/p>\n

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The Gunners won the Premier League title last season and qualified for the Champions League, whereas Chelsea finished in 10th place and will not be in any European competition next year.<\/p>\n

Yet they have won the race for Rogers\u2019 signature, largely because of Alonso, who could end up convincing another Chelsea target to join the club.<\/p>\n

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Who would you rather see at left-back next season, Jorrel Hato or Lewis Hall?<\/h3>\n

Hall is being linked with a return to Chelsea following Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Credit: Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside\/Serena Taylor\/Newcastle United via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Xabi Alonso appointment already producing results as Chelsea turn attention to Lewis Hall<\/h2>\n

It is thought that Alonso played a huge role in Rogers deciding to join Chelsea, and there is now hope that the Spaniard can lure Newcastle United\u2019s Lewis Hall back to Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

Hall left Chelsea permanently in 2024, but the Blues want to re-sign the left-back. At the start of the month, though, it was reported that Hall has rejected a return to west London.<\/p>\n

However, according to Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, there is belief at Chelsea that Alonso\u2019s presence could sway Hall\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

Alonso was already a good appointment for the Blues based on his experience and CV. But if the 44-year-old can convince two top Premier League stars in Rogers and Hall to join amid interest from other English clubs, that appointment goes up another level. <\/p>\n

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Photo by Alex Livesey \u2013 AVFC\/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following Marc Cucurella\u2019s move to Real Madrid, Chelsea could do with a new left-back.<\/p>\n

The Chelsea Chronicle<\/strong> has been told that Jorrel Hato\u2019s future is not certain, and while Valentin Barco is set to arrive from Strasbourg, he mostly played as a midfielder last season.<\/p>\n

Hall would be perfect, but the England international clearly has his doubts. It is up to Alonso to convince him to join Chelsea if they make another move for their academy product.<\/p>\n

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