Chelsea thought they had little chance of signing Morgan Rogers at the start of the summer. Xabi Alonso and the club’s recruitment team had the England international as a priority target but a deal seemed unlikely. Chelsea had endured a disappointing season, missing out on European football after finishing 10th, and their expectation was that Rogers would leave Aston Villa for Arsenal.

It was towards the end of the World Cup that Chelsea were made aware of a window of opportunity. Although Arsenal could claim to be London’s top dogs after winning the Premier League they dithered in talks with Villa, raising the prospect of another club stepping in.

Mikel Arteta talked about being bold in the market after Arsenal’s defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Arteta wanted more in attack. A new option on the left was a priority; Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli were up for sale and everything pointed towards Arsenal making their move for Rogers at the end of June.

Yet the lines became blurred. Arsenal had a fee of £80m in mind, while Villa wanted more, particularly after Nottingham Forest sold Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116m. Time dragged on. How serious were Arsenal? There was also interest in Julián Alvarez, Vinícius Júnior and Bradley Barcola. Villa waited and the price for Rogers went up. Arsenal, beaten to the punch in the end, will have a look at what they could have won when Chelsea and Rogers visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Chelsea were decisive. They were tracking Rogers before he left Middlesbrough for Villa in February 2024. Joe Shields, one of Chelsea’s five sporting directors, worked with Rogers at Manchester City’s academy. The signing was not done on a whim. Chelsea have a good relationship with Villa’s owners and moved quickly after opening club-to-club talks a day after Rogers played in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina. The fee was £117m and Chelsea did not struggle to convince Rogers. Alonso wooed him and the deal was confirmed five days after negotiations began.

Xabi Alonso has put a lot of smiles back on faces at Chelsea after last season’s player rebellions. Photograph: Alex Ferrelly/Crystal Pix/Sports Press Photo/Shutterstock

There was no last-ditch move from Arsenal. They signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m two days later and focused on other targets. When the window closed, though, Arteta’s options on the left looked a little light. Martinelli and Trossard left but only Tzolis arrived. Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are alternatives. It is hard not to feel that Arsenal could have done with Rogers, even though Chelsea have paid a high price for him.

It remains to be seen whether the 24-year-old can prove he merits becoming the third-most expensive player in English football history. For context, the fee is the consequence of the market threatening to rise out of control and the money spent on many players starting to feel meaningless. It is worth pointing out, too, that money flowed back and forth between Chelsea and Villa all summer. Even so the price will follow Rogers around, so it is just as well he has made an excellent start.

Rogers has been involved in four of Chelsea’s seven goals in their first two league games. He scored in the 3-2 win at Fulham and later combined with João Pedro to set up Cole Palmer’s goal. He created Pedro Neto’s goal in last weekend’s 4-3 win over Brighton and played a key role when Jorrel Hato played in João Pedro to score.

Chelsea have thrilled in attack so far, João Pedro, Rogers and Palmer combining to devastating effect. Alonso, an adaptable manager, wants more control but his transitional football has been a delight. Chelsea were mannered and controlled during Enzo Maresca’s time in charge. It is felt that Alonso has recognised the Premier League’s shift towards power and athleticism. Rogers fits into the Spaniard’s system. Thomas Tuchel loves Rogers for his connectivity and pressing. It is significant that England’s energy levels rose in their quarter-final against Norway after the introduction of Rogers and Djed Spence late in the second half.

Chelsea needed more strength, more speed. Rogers, able to play anywhere in attacking midfield or as a No 8, looks a better fit in Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 than Enzo Fernández, sold this week to Manchester City for £125m. He has played with Palmer as one of the No 10s but has a responsibility to drift left, a role that is unlikely to have suited Fernández. Arsenal’s impeccable defence will be tested by Chelsea’s front three.

The Rogers-Palmer partnership has clicked. They are old friends and banter over the “ice cold” celebration. Rogers is a bubbly character and can get on with anyone. Chelsea are keen to improve the culture in the dressing room. It is felt that Alonso has shifted the mood after last year’s rebellions. The squad are united. It is one of the reasons why Chelsea decided to sell Fernández on deadline day. They did not need the headache of reintegrating the Argentinian.

Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, pictured celebrating Chelsea’s fourth goal against Brighton, have forged a promising relationship. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters

This is a fresh start. The signing of Rogers, who was the Professional Footballers’ Association’s young player of the year in 2025, was a sign of Chelsea’s intent. Rogers was one of the best players in the Premier League last season. He grew under Unai Emery and scored when Villa beat Freiburg in the Europa League final in May.

It was one of Rogers’ less eye-catching goals: a clever jab at the near post from a low cross. There was a period last season when he could not stop scoring from long range but Rogers has spoken about wanting scruffier goals and he arrived at the far post to open his Chelsea account against Fulham.

Rogers is embracing the challenge. At Arsenal he would have been slotting into the finished article. Arsenal have reached the summit. Chelsea are beginning their climb under Alonso. Rogers, who has played in the Championship and had a loan in League One, rather liked the idea of starting lower down.