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Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso believes Morgan Rogers has all the qualities needed to make an immediate impact after completing his club-record move from Aston Villa.<\/strong><\/p>\n The England international joined the Blues in a deal worth \u00a3117 million last week but has not travelled on the club\u2019s pre-season tour of Australia and South-East Asia after featuring at the World Cup. Rogers is instead expected to report for training at Cobham on 9 August, leaving him just under two weeks to prepare for Chelsea\u2019s Premier League opener against Fulham.<\/p>\n Speaking to reporters in Sydney ahead of Tuesday\u2019s friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, Alonso said Chelsea targeted Rogers because of his ability to settle quickly and raise the team\u2019s level.<\/p>\n \u201cFor sure, it\u2019s a great signing,\u201d Alonso said. \u201cIn that position we needed an important player and I\u2019m sure there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou need players who can have that almost instant impact and I am sure Morgan won\u2019t need much time to adapt to the club, to the system, to his team-mates. That was the idea that we wanted, to get a top player and Morgan is one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Chatting to Xabi. \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8<\/p>\n Watch the full interview on CFC+ \ud83d\udcfa<\/p>\n \u2014 Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 28, 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Alonso also highlighted Rogers\u2019 versatility as one of the key reasons behind Chelsea\u2019s pursuit. \u201cHe feels he is enjoying his game, his flow, and I am sure he will have good connections with the other players around him. If we get those connections right, that will be a great step forward in the quality of our game.\u201d<\/p>\n Chelsea are also closing in on the signing of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix after agreeing terms on a \u00a352 million deal. While Alonso stopped short of discussing the transfer directly, he stressed the importance of building a balanced squad capable of improving on last season\u2019s 10th-place Premier League finish.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to build a competitive team,\u201d Alonso added. \u201cWe have great quality, great talent, and we need to know what it takes to compete in the Premier League. We want a squad with the right balance between quality and mentality.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more \u2013\u00a0Welbeck urged to snub Chelsea and rejoin Man Utd<\/strong><\/p>\n See Also-\u00a0PSG talent Mbaye offered to Liverpool and Man City<\/strong><\/p>\n Facebook | Instagram | Twitter<\/a> | YouTube | TikTok<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Alonso backs Rogers to make instant Chelsea impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u201cOne of his best qualities is that he is flexible. In that pocket position, close to the striker, close to our No 10, but he\u2019s played as well on the right side, but more coming from the left,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n