Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 27: Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has expressed confidence that record signing Morgan Rogers will quickly establish himself at Stamford Bridge, revealing he already has a clear tactical plan to pair the England international with Cole Palmer as the Blues prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.
Speaking during Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia ahead of his first game in charge, Alonso described Rogers as the perfect addition to strengthen the club's attacking options, highlighting the midfielder's versatility and ability to make an immediate impact despite joining the squad after the FIFA World Cup.
Chelsea secured Rogers from Aston Villa last week in a British record transfer worth £117 million. The 24-year-old signed a six-year contract, with the club holding an option to extend it by an additional year. Rogers is currently on a post-World Cup break following England's third-place finish and is yet to report for pre-season duty.
Alonso believes the midfielder's transition into the squad will be seamless.
He said Chelsea were searching for a player capable of influencing matches from the outset and felt Rogers was among the finest options available.
According to the Spanish coach, players of Rogers' calibre require very little time to adapt to a new environment, making him an ideal fit for Chelsea's long-term project.
One of the biggest discussions following the transfer has been how Rogers and Cole Palmer will operate together in Chelsea's attacking setup. The England teammates have often spoken publicly about their friendship and ambition to represent the same club, and Alonso suggested he already has a tactical blueprint to maximise their partnership.
The Chelsea boss said he could clearly envision the pair developing a strong on-field understanding, while emphasising that the overall balance of the team would remain central to his approach.
Alonso stressed that positioning creative players effectively and maintaining structure both in possession and without the ball would make Chelsea a far more competitive side after an underwhelming Premier League season.
The former Spanish international also praised Rogers' tactical flexibility, noting that the midfielder is capable of operating in multiple advanced positions.
He explained that Rogers is comfortable playing in central attacking areas close to the striker, can also feature on the right flank, but appears most effective when drifting in from the left. Alonso added that Chelsea intends to deploy him in the role where he feels most comfortable and can play with confidence.
The coach believes that building strong combinations between Rogers and his attacking teammates will significantly improve Chelsea's creativity and overall quality in the final third.
Chelsea continue their preparations for the new season with a series of pre-season fixtures in Australia, beginning against Western Sydney Wanderers before meeting Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney. The squad will then travel to Hong Kong for a clash with Juventus as Alonso continues fine-tuning his team ahead of the start of the 2026-27 season.