Xabi Alonso has a plan for Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer. The Chelsea manager, speaking in Sydney where the Blues have begun their pre-season tour, said he can see the two England internationals “linking really well” — despite neither having trained together yet.
Rogers, 24, became the most expensive British player of all-time last week when he joined from Aston Villa for £117m. He is still on holiday after playing for England at the World Cup, while his new team-mates are already on the training pitch in Australia. But Alonso is in no rush.
“Xabi Alonso says he has a plan to play £117m Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer at Chelsea.”
“In that position we needed an important player and I’m sure there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers,” Alonso said. “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, the system and his team-mates.”
The midfielder has signed a six-year contract with an option for a further year. Alonso insisted he will be ready despite missing pre-season, and believes he will be compatible with Palmer — a player Rogers describes as one of his “best friends in football”.
“We’ve been speaking about this for a while — that we would always love to play together,” Rogers said after his move. “He’s been non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can’t wait. That’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day.”
Alonso, who took over at Stamford Bridge this summer, has been plotting how to accommodate both attacking midfielders. “I have a plan. I have an idea,” he said. “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 and without the ball.”
The tactical blueprint may require adjustment. At Aston Villa, Unai Emery deployed Rogers on the left of a 4-2-3-1, narrowing from the wing and using his athleticism to attack space. Alonso’s system, by contrast, prioritises dominating possession and building attacks in the opponent’s half. Yet the Spaniard is confident the £117m man can adapt.
Chelsea are also expected to confirm the £52m signing of France defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. The 26-year-old would be the club’s oldest signing since 2022. Alonso has already brought in winger Geovany Quenda, striker Emmanuel Emegha, full-back Marco Palestra, and is expected to add midfielder Valentin Barco in the coming weeks — swelling the squad to nearly 40 players.
“We want a squad with the right balance between quality and mentality,” Alonso said. “Those things need to match in terms of maturity, but I think we are starting the new season with good energy.”
With so many players, substantial sales are inevitable. But for now, the focus is on how Rogers and Palmer will finally get their wish to play together — and whether Alonso’s plan can turn a friendship into a winning combination.