Alonso has described Morgan Rogers as “a great signing” for Chelsea, expressing confidence the England international will strike up a strong partnership with Cole Palmer once he links up with the squad.
Rogers joined from Aston Villa last week for £117 million, a British transfer record, and Alonso spoke about the move ahead of his first match in charge, a pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers.
“It’s a great signing. I think that in that position, we needed an important player, and I’m sure that there were not many more better options than Morgan,” Alonso told reporters. “So we are delighted. It means a lot for everyone.”
The signing represents a clear statement of ambition from Chelsea after a disappointing 10th placed finish last season that left them outside Europe.
Alonso now faces the task of fitting Rogers alongside Palmer, Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian and new arrival Geovany Quenda across his attacking positions, but sounded relaxed about the challenge.
“I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well,” he said of Rogers and Palmer, close friends with similar playing styles.
Chelsea are understood to have tracked Rogers for two years, eventually beating Arsenal to his signature after the Premier League champions balked at Villa’s asking price. The fee eclipses the previous British record, Elliot Anderson’s £116 million move to Manchester City earlier this month.
Alonso praised Rogers’ versatility in particular, suggesting he could operate centrally, on the right, or in his more familiar role from the left.
“We will play him where he feels he is enjoying his game,” Alonso said. Rogers missed the Australia leg of Chelsea’s pre-season tour after helping England finish third at the World Cup.
Chelsea face Tottenham on Saturday before travelling to Hong Kong to play Juventus on 5 August.
– AFP
Photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
