Xabi Alonso plans to play Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer together at Chelsea

Xabi Alonso plans to play Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer together at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has revealed his plan to utilize the club's new record signing, Morgan Rogers, alongside Cole Palmer in the upcoming season. Rogers, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa for a staggering transfer fee of £117 million, is expected to make an instant impact at Stamford Bridge. Despite both players occupying similar positions as attacking midfielders, Alonso is confident that they can link up effectively and bring a new level of competitiveness to the team.

Alonso's plan to play Rogers and Palmer together is a key aspect of his strategy to build a squad with the right balance of quality and mentality. The Chelsea manager believes that the pair can complement each other's skills. According to Alonso, "I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well." "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."

Rogers, who has signed a six-year contract with Chelsea, is currently on holiday after representing England at the World Cup. Alonso is confident that the 24-year-old midfielder will quickly adapt to the club's system and his new teammates. "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. That was the idea, to get a top player, and Morgan is one of them."

The potential partnership between Rogers and Palmer is not the only exciting development at Chelsea, as the club is expected to announce the signing of France international defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. The 26-year-old defender would be Chelsea's oldest signing since 2022. The Blues have already brought in winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting, striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg, and full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta, with midfielder Valentin Barco from Strasbourg also expected to join the squad in the coming weeks.

However, with Chelsea's squad size approaching 40 players, the club will need to trim its roster to maintain harmony and ensure that every player has a clear role. Alonso is aware of the necessity to be flexible and quick to act in the transfer market, and the coaching staff and recruitment team are working together to ensure that the eventual squad list is lean and competitive. "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. That's important." "We need to know that there will probably still be some movement. We need to be flexible and quick to act. The main thing is that we have a clear idea, a clear plan that we have built."