Xabi Alonso could still play in the Premier League at 44, says Chelsea star

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FT Desk

New Chelsea star Morgan Rogers believes manager Xabi Alonso still has the quality to play in the Premier League at the age of 44.

Both men are new at Stamford Bridge this season following Alonso's appointment as manager and Rogers' British record €138 million transfer from Aston Villa.

The pair are still getting to know each other, but it is clear Alonso is making an impression on his players - not just with his coaching, but with his own ability on the training pitch.

"He's still got it now. There are certain sessions where he'll ping a ball and you'll be like... He could probably still play in the Prem now," Rogers told ESPN.

"He's got bags of ability, bags of quality. I think that helps you as a manager as well, the respect element of it.

"He's played the game, he's played in these moments in the big games, in the pressure situations, won what he's won as a player.

"You have that utmost respect for him as a coach and as a manager that he's been in those situations and he knows how to manage them and handle them.

"I have massive respect for him as a player and obviously as my manager and my coach."

Rogers was one of the Premier League's standout players last season, with 10 goals and seven assists for Villa. During the summer, it seemed likely at one point that he would join Arsenal, but with Alonso confirmed as boss, Chelsea paid what Villa wanted and quickly concluded a deal for the England international.

The player himself believes he can become even better under the Spaniard in 2026/27.

"As an attacking player, he allows freedom and he allows rotations and allows to play off the cuff and to be me, which is the way I want to play and the way I see the game," Rogers added.

"Some things you can't explain what you've seen in a game or how you've been, but if you've been given that confidence from the manager to play or to try and to do those things, I think that's where I can be at my best.

"That was the conversations I had with him where I was really excited by and really looked forward to and really saw myself being able to play in his team, which is the most important thing for me.

"I'm just, as I said, excited and can't wait to see how it unfolds and how I can be the best version of myself."

Alonso had a successful playing career with Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He won the Champions League with Liverpool and Real Madrid, as well as several league and domestic cup titles. With Spain, he won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

As a manager, Alonso made his name at Bayer Leverkusen, leading them to their first Bundesliga title in 2024, along with the German Cup and Super Cup. He later became Real Madrid manager in 2025 but was dismissed midway through his first campaign.