Xabi Alonso confirms major Morgan Rogers boost as 'special' Chelsea plan revealed | OneFootball

Blues boss in no doubt that £117m signing and Cole Palmer can play together

Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Morgan Rogers will be ready for the start of the Premier League season despite missing Chelsea’s summer tour of Australia and Asia.

Rogers completed a club-record £117million move from Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge last week, signing a seven-year contract until 2033.

The 24-year-old has not, however, travelled as part of the 28-man Chelsea squad for their pre-season tour as he takes an extended break following the end of the World Cup.

Rogers was part of Thomas Tuchel’s England group that finished third in North America, starting and registering a fine assist in the 2-1 semi-final defeat by Argentina.

He will join up with Chelsea when they return to Cobham next month, and Alonso says he has no doubts that the most expensive British footballer in history will be ready for the start of the new campaign.

“Yes,” Alonso said in Sydney when asked if Rogers would be fit for Chelsea’s opening Premier League game away to Fulham on August 24.

“All the ones who come later because they reached the final stages of the World Cup, they will be ready. We have a few of them so they have to be ready.”

Record signing: Chelsea have made Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player in football history

Alonso has no concerns about whether Rogers will be able to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge and says he has a plan in place for him to play alongside Cole Palmer.

Palmer, one of Rogers’ best friends from their time together in Manchester City’s academy, played a vital role in convincing Rogers to join Chelsea and Alonso says he has devised a strategy to get the two prodigious English talents in the same XI.

“I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well,” Alonso continued.

“We need to have a good mix. If we get that balance right and those special players in the right positions with good control, then we will be more competitive with the ball and against the ball, we need to be good.”

Rogers enjoyed a superb campaign last season, netting 14 goals across all competitions as Aston Villa won the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League.

His arrival at Chelsea marks a rapid rise but Alonso believes Rogers is ready to make an instant impact in west London.

“When we started talking, we wanted to build a competitive squad, and you need players who can have that almost instant impact, and I’m sure Morgan won’t need much time to adapt to the club, to the system, to his team-mates,” Alonso said.

I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso on Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer

“That was the idea that we wanted and to get a top player and Morgan is one of them.”

While a lot has been made about how Alonso will fit Rogers and Palmer into the same side, the former’s versatility gives Chelsea plenty of options as they look to remodel their attack.

Rogers can play through the middle and on the right of Chelsea’s attack, but it is understood the majority of his minutes will come from the left-hand side, where he has made a reputation for cutting in and scoring goals off his favoured right foot.

Alonso says one of Rogers’ best qualities is his flexibility and he believes he will be able to impact the game all over the pitch once he builds an understanding with his team-mates.

“One of his best qualities is that he is flexible,” Alonso said. “In that pocket position, close to the striker, close to our No10, but he’s played as well on the right side, but more coming from the left.

“He feels he is enjoying his game, his flow, and I’m 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.”