Here’s a (massive) bit of exclusive news hot off the presses from The Athletic’s David Ornstein to un-quieten your otherwise quite quiet Saturday: Chelsea are set to sign Morgan Rogers! On a club-record fee.
This is not a drill.
According to the report, Chelsea have reached a “verbal agreement” with Aston Villa over a transfer worth an eyewatering sum of £117m, and have a six-year contract (with a one-year option) in place with the 23-year-old winger (soon to be 24). The medical is scheduled for Monday.
Chelsea were linked with Rogers last month when it became apparent that he was looking to leave Villa, though Premier League champions Arsenal were also in the running, and it seemed like they would emerge as the winners in this fight as well. Obviously, we’re paying a pretty penny or two, but hopefully he will be worth it.
Rogers got his start in the West Brom academy before joining Manchester City’s setup at 17. He would leave a few years later looking for first-team opportunities, going to Middlesbrough and then to Aston Villa, where he established himself as a breakout star and an England international.
The 2025 Premier League Young Player of the Year is now headed to Stamford Bridge. May he and Cole Palmer do their iconic “cold” celebration many times together now.
