Former Arsenal player and Chelsea fan Paul Merson has shared his thoughts on Morgan Rogers’ impending move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have agreed to sign Rogers from Villa in a £117m deal, which will make him the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Rogers is one of the stars of the Premier League, but many are questioning the transfer fee that Chelsea are paying, including Merson.
DISCUSS: In this current market, Rogers is a bargain 👀
Chelsea do need Morgan Rogers despite Paul Merson claim
Because of Cole Palmer, Merson does not think that Chelsea actually need Rogers.
In his column for Sky Sports, he said: “It’s a lot of money. Crazy money. Bringing Morgan Rogers in for £117m isn’t what Chelsea needed.
“They’ve got Cole Palmer! They play in the same position! Rogers went to the World Cup instead of Palmer, because they play in the same position.”
Like Palmer, Rogers’ preferred position is attacking midfielder. However, Rogers is set to play on the left under Xabi Alonso, and that is an area of the pitch where Chelsea needed to strengthen.
Alejandro Garnacho underwhelmed last season and is now set to leave west London, while Jamie Gittens has had some injury problems since joining Chelsea.
Rogers is not a novice in the left-wing position. According to Transfermarkt, the 23-year-old has played there 35 times for Villa.
Rogers has also been deployed on the right, so he is clearly capable of playing out wide.
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer can play in same XI
With Rogers likely to play on the left at Stamford Bridge, there is nothing stopping Alonso from starting both the World Cup star and Palmer.
In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Palmer could easily play as the No.10 or on the right. It should not be a difficult task to get the England duo into the same team.
Where would this Chelsea team finish? 👀
What you can question, though, is the price tag. With that being said, that is just the market now it seems.
Manchester City have paid £116m for Elliot Anderson, while Tottenham Hotspur have signed Sandro Tonali for £100m. Both men are midfielders who are not going to win as many points as an attacker like Rogers will across an entire season.
Therefore, perhaps £117m for the England international is a reasonable fee after all.
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