Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has unveiled a plan to deploy £117m signing Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer, citing their best friends in football
dynamic and tactical synergy as key to the club’s competitive edge.
Chelsea’s new £117m signing, Morgan Rogers, has drawn immediate attention for his potential partnership with England teammate Cole Palmer, as manager Xabi Alonso outlined a strategy to integrate the duo into the squad’s attacking framework. The midfielder, who became the most expensive British player of all-time after his move from Aston Villa, is set to join Palmer in a forward line that Alonso believes can make an instant impact.
Rogers, 24, is currently on holiday after playing for England at the World Cup, while Chelsea have begun their pre-season tour in Sydney. Alonso emphasized the midfielder’s ability to adapt to the club, the system, and his team-mates
despite not yet participating in pre-season training. The manager highlighted the duo’s existing rapport, noting they would always love to play together
and that their best friends in football
status could translate into on-field chemistry. I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well,
Alonso said, describing the duo as special players
who could improve Chelsea’s competitiveness with and without the ball.
The manager’s confidence stems from Rogers’ versatility, with the 24-year-old capable of operating across the attack. Alonso noted Rogers’ combination play, central passing, and ball-striking from the edge of the box
as assets that align with his preferred 3-2-2-3 formation. We need to have a good mix,
Alonso added, stressing the importance of positioning those special players in the right positions.
Rogers, who signed a six-year contract with an option for a further year, described Palmer as one of his best friends in football
and said they had been speaking about this for a while – that we would always love to play together.
He added, He has been non-stop ringing my phone and texting me, I can’t wait. That’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day.
The pair, who both play for England, have previously expressed their desire to play together, with Alonso acknowledging their almost instant impact
potential.
Tactical Fit: How Their Roles Could Align
Rogers’ recent role as a right winger for England against Argentina could see him shift wider in certain formations. The article also explored positional flexibility, noting that width on the left would have to come from another player—either a wing-back if Chelsea defend with a back five, or a winger if it is a back four. In the latter formation, Rogers would be positioned more centrally from the start.
Alonso’s game model prioritizes short passes to ensure his players are well placed to counter-press if the ball is lost. Rogers’ combination play, plus his physicality, makes him a good fit for this plan, and his ability to repeatedly make runs in behind
is something Palmer will seek to exploit. Their ability to play across the attack
was cited as a key factor in Alonso’s decision to prioritize Rogers over other options.
What Comes Next for the Pair
Alonso insisted Rogers would be ready despite not yet taking part in pre-season training, stating, 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 manager also noted that In that position we needed an important player and I’m sure there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers.
Worth a look
