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Morgan Rogers has pointed to Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso as a major factor in his choice to join "the biggest club in London" as his new destination.
The England international has put pen to paper on a seven-year deal in West London. At £117 million ($156.5 million), Rogers has become Chelsea's most expensive signing ever, eclipsing the club's deals to secure Moises Caicedo (£115/$147 million) and Enzo Fernández (£106.8/$131 million).
Rogers becomes the Blues' sixth summer transfer window acquisition following Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev and Emmanuel Emegha, who all arrived on pre-arranged agreements, while Marco Palestra joined from Atalanta for £47 million ($62.9 million). Chelsea initiated discussions with Aston Villa on Thursday regarding Rogers, and then boss Alonso had a telephone conversation with the Englishman on Friday to help convince him about relocating to the Bridge, as per football.london.
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Following Alonso's involvement, Rogers swiftly reached an agreement on personal terms with Chelsea - who had maintained long-standing interest in the 23-year-old - before the West London side finalized a £117 million deal with Villa on Saturday. Rogers has identified Alonso as a significant influence in opting for a transfer to the Blues over other suitors, with Arsenal having previously been the frontrunners to capture the attacker.
"I'm so excited," said Rogers on moving to Stamford Bridge. "For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I've always admired since I was a kid.
"I'm really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we've got and where the club is heading. That's why I'm here and I can't wait to get started."
The Gunners had been strong favorites to land the highly coveted England international but were reportedly unwilling to exceed their £80 million ($107 million) valuation. Chelsea proved more amenable to meeting Villa's asking price and the transfer progressed rapidly from that point.
Cole Palmer, a longtime friend of Rogers dating back to their shared time in Manchester City's youth system, is also believed to have been a significant factor in the latter's decision to join Chelsea. Joe Shields, one of the Blues' sporting directors, was part of City's academy setup during Rogers' stint in Manchester and is understood to have been instrumental in luring the Englishman to London.
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Regarding Alonso, Rogers said: "I've had a few conversations with him and I think it's important for me to be here and to understand what the manager is like, how he is and how he wants to operate.
"It very much fits with the way I see the game, the way I want to play, and the way I want to be me, be free and express myself. Him being a part of that was massive in my decision to be here."
Rogers is poised to take a three-week hiatus now after his FIFA World Cup campaign with England in North America. The Three Lions standout is not anticipated to link up with his new Chelsea colleagues during their four-nation pre-season tour of Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but could make his bow for the Blues against Real Sociedad in a friendly at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, August 15.
That will also mark Alonso's inaugural match at his new home, with the Spaniard hosting La Real, where he spent time as both a player and manager, in West London.
