Morgan Rogers revealed that Xabi Alonso was a "massive factor" behind his record-breaking move to Chelsea from Aston Villa.

Rogers became the most expensive British player of all time after his £117m switch to Stamford Bridge was confirmed on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old put pen to paper on a seven-year contract with the Blues, with his transfer also Chelsea's most expensive arrival, surpassing Moises Caicedo (£115m in 2023). 

He registered 56 goal involvements (31 goals, 25 assists) for Villa, a total only Ollie Watkins (74 – 50 goals, 24 assists) can beat for the Villans since Rogers' arrival.

Rogers is Chelsea's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda ahead of Alonso's first campaign in charge. 

And the England international said Alonso's footballing philosophy aligned with his vision of the game and was key in his decision to join Chelsea. 

"I've had a few conversations with him," Rogers told Chelsea's club website.

"I think it's important for me to be here that I need to understand what the manager's 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, and be free and express myself.

"Him being a part of that was a massive factor in me being here."

During the 2025-26 campaign, Rogers managed 14 goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions, which would have ranked third in Chelsea's squad last term, behind Joao Pedro (29) and Enzo Fernandez (26). 

It is expected to be a busy summer at Stamford Bridge following Chelsea's failure to secure European football last season, with the Blues finishing 10th in the Premier League. 

Chelsea are reportedly willing to let Alejandro Garnacho leave the club just a year after signing him from Manchester United, with Aston Villa linked with a move. 

Bournemouth's Alex Scott is also a target for Chelsea, with reports on Tuesday saying the Blues had a £64m bid rejected for the England Under-21 international.

Scott, who is also of interest to Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United, has two years left on his current contract at the Vitality Stadium, and Bournemouth have insisted publicly, directly to the player and to interested clubs, that he will remain on the south coast.  

It has also been reported that Chelsea are exploring a move for John Stones, who is a free agent after ending his trophy-laden tenure with Man City at the end of 2025-26.

Stones made 295 appearances for the Citizens and won 17 major honours, and was also a part of the England squad that reached the semi-finals of this summer's World Cup. 

Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign on August 24 against Fulham, which will see Alonso take on Alvaro Arbeloa, the man who succeeded him at Real Madrid.