Morgan Rogers has completed a British record £117m move from Aston Villa to Chelsea – and immediately aimed a barb at Arsenal, calling Chelsea “the biggest club in London.”
The 23-year-old England international signed a seven-year deal on Saturday, just hours after helping England secure a bronze medal at the World Cup with a 6-4 win over France. The move came as a shock to Arsenal, who had been in talks with Villa and appeared favourites to land the midfielder.
“Morgan Rogers joins Chelsea for £117m, calling them 'biggest club in London' after hijacking Arsenal deal.”
But Chelsea, who had tracked Rogers for more than two years, moved with extraordinary speed after England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina last Wednesday. A combined effort from sporting directors, head coach Xabi Alonso and co-owner Behdad Eghbali – along with captain Reece James and Cole Palmer lobbying from within the England camp – sealed the deal in under 48 hours.
“I’m so excited,” Rogers told Chelsea’s website. “Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid. I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading.”
The chance to work with new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso was a decisive factor. “I’ve had a few conversations with him,” Rogers said. “It very much fits with the way I see the game, the way I want to play, and the way I want to be me, and be free and express myself. Him being a part of that was a massive factor in me being here.”
Rogers also reunites with childhood friend Cole Palmer, who he has known since age 14 at Manchester City. “He’s non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can’t wait,” Rogers said. “Playing with one of your best friends is probably the most special thing.”
The versatile forward scored 14 goals for Villa last season and helped the club win the Europa League. Arsenal were offered the chance to match Chelsea's bid but refused, and will now pursue alternative targets including Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi.
Chelsea’s co-owner Behdad Eghbali had indicated at the end of last season that the club would target players capable of challenging for the Premier League title, after a campaign in which they finished 10th and were thrashed in the Champions League last 16 by Paris Saint-Germain. Rogers becomes the fourth signing of the summer for the Blues.