Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso believes record signing Morgan Rogers can quickly establish himself at Stamford Bridge and has already mapped out how the England midfielder will combine with Cole Palmer in his new-look side.
The Blues completed the signing of Rogers from Aston Villa last week in a deal worth £117 million, making the 24-year-old the most expensive British footballer in history. He has signed a six-year contract, with the club holding an option to extend it by a further year.
Rogers is currently on holiday following England’s FIFA World Cup campaign and has yet to join Chelsea’s pre-season preparations, which are underway in Sydney. Despite that, Alonso is confident the midfielder will need little time to settle once he arrives.
The Chelsea head coach said the club identified Rogers as the ideal addition for a key position, describing him as a player capable of making an immediate impact. Alonso also revealed he already has a clear tactical plan for using Rogers alongside fellow England international Cole Palmer.
The pair have previously spoken about their close friendship and their desire to play together at club level. Alonso believes their understanding can become a major asset, provided Chelsea build the right balance around them.
Chelsea are also expected to complete the signing of France defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a deal reportedly worth £52 million. At 26, Lacroix would become the club’s oldest permanent signing since 2022, reflecting Alonso’s desire to add greater maturity alongside young talent.
The London club has already strengthened its squad this summer with the arrivals of winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting, striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta. Midfielder Valentín Barco is also expected to join from Strasbourg in the coming weeks.
Those additions could leave Chelsea with close to 40 first-team players before the transfer window closes, meaning several departures are expected. Alonso acknowledged further changes are likely, saying the club must remain flexible while sticking to its long-term recruitment strategy as the squad continues to evolve.