Chelsea are not done in this summer’s transfer market and are still planning to buy and sell numerous players before the deadline on September 1.
Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap have all been signed this summer, while the likes of Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez have also been brought in after deals were agreed with their respective former clubs prior to the window opening. However, with the likes of Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho departing, and Christopher Nkunku likely to follow suit, the Blues are still in the market for another attacking player this summer.
Morgan Rogers is an option for the west Londoners, although he will be an expensive one. Aston Villa do not want to sell the 22-year-old, who became such an integral figure in Unai Emery’s team last season, but are said to be willing to do business if they were to receive an offer north of £80million. While Chelsea appreciate the talent of Rogers and are interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge, £80million is likely to be too expensive for the Blues.
Rogers is another player that has previous ties with Manchester City. Chelsea have – undeniably – tried to tap into the City model that has been the standard-setter in English football for the best part of the last decade. Enzo Maresca, who used to be part of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff at the Etihad Stadium, was hired as the Blues’ head coach last summer and the Italian has since had time to implement a possession-based style of football at Stamford Bridge – one synonymous of the Man City side we have come to know under his former mentor.
Joe Shields, formerly a youth scout on the blue half of Manchester, now plays a crucial role in Chelsea’s transfer business alongside the two sporting directors. Shields has helped the Blues bring in plenty of former City academy stars including, most recently, Liam Delap, who was signed for £30million from Ipswich Town last month.
Other players that have previous ties with City that are now/have been at Chelsea include Tosin Adarabioyo, Romeo Lavia and Jadon Sancho. Oh yeah, and a certain Cole Palmer, who Rogers is actually really close friends with. The two are so close, in fact, that Palmer stole Rogers’ celebration.
Yes. It’s that one. Rogers said this back in October when asked on TNT Sports whether Palmer stole his ‘cold’ celebration: “Yeah, it’s true. Cheeky boy, isn’t he? He’s run with it. I’ll let him have it – he’s scored 40 goals or something stupid so I can’t really argue with that, can I?”
Chelsea supporters would love to see the two former City boys performing the celebration together at Stamford Bridge next season. While £80million is certainly a lot of money – and more than Chelsea are willing to spend – the Rogers situation is one to keep an eye on over the next month-and-a-half.
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