Xabi Alonso makes €138m Chelsea transfer admission

11 Sept 2026 17:07 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has admitted that Cole Palmer “played an important role” in convincing Morgan Rogers to join the club this summer.

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Rogers, 24, completed a €138 million move from Aston Villa in July, but he had looked destined to sign for Arsenal before Chelsea swooped with a late bid and brought him to west London.

Current ETV

Morgan Rogers

M (CL), AM (L)

Chelsea

Morgan Rogers

M (CL), AM (L)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€55.1M - €91.8M

The England international has hit the ground running following his summer move to Stamford Bridge, scoring two goals and providing five assists in five games across all competitions, and his on-pitch relationship with Palmer has been a highlight of Chelsea’s season to date.

The pair have been close friends since playing together in the Manchester City academy and it has been widely reported that Palmer was instrumental in Rogers’ decision to join Chelsea amid interest from several other top European clubs.

That has now been confirmed by Alonso, who revealed Palmer’s role in the transfer during his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Hull City on Saturday.

When asked if the duo’s close off-pitch relationship helps them on the pitch, Alonso said: “I would say a lot. Even before playing together, they were so connected.

“For sure, we were following this connection to happen before the transfer happened. Cole was very influential and played an important role…

“They are both enjoying themselves playing with each other. They enjoy it when the other one is doing good things for the team. We have a good partnership there, as well with Joao [Pedro] linking with them.”

Morgan Rogers has found his home at Chelsea

While Rogers likely would’ve been shifted to the left wing at Arsenal, he has found his ideal home as a wide No.10 in Alonso’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system.

The England star has immediately become a key player for the Blues and he is now part of a hugely exciting forward line alongside Palmer and Joao Pedro - who has won the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for August.

At Arsenal, Rogers may have become a side character, in a similar vein to his England team-mate Eberechi Eze, but he is already a star for Chelsea and while the Blues lost to their London rivals on Sunday, the 24-year-old must be satisfied with his decision to move to Stamford Bridge.