18 Jul 2026 18:47:03
Rumour is we have agreed a fee (£117m) for Rogers.
If this is true, I assuming we will be selling them a couple of players. Maybe Jackson and Badiashile.
Just one other rumour. Apparently Newcastle have asked the price for Jackson.
18 Jul 2026 21:28:00
117 million is surely far too much to pay for Rogers? He scored 10 goals and contributed 6 assists, but made little impression for England at the World Cup.
Rogers did score as many goals as Enzo and offered two more assists than Enzo, but Enzo's passing accuracy (overall and long passes) was much better. He created considerably more chances than Rogers and made double the number of tackles.
So I greatly hope that, if we do buy Rogers for this huge sum, it is not because we are selling Fernandez, particularly not to Arsenal or City.
Not quite sure what I make of this rumour, Tom, though I think you are a fan of Rogers. Is it true that he is a friend of Cole's, or is that someone else in the England set up?
18 Jul 2026 23:36:56
JBS, I do like Rogers as a player and I try not to think of transfer fees, although that is difficult.
I'm personally not sure that, if we do sign Rogers, and I'm far from convinced this will happen, it means EF will be leaving.
19 Jul 2026 13:13:26
I think Enzo is a false equivalent. Rogers is playing higher up, taking more risks in the final third than Enzo.
Rogers gives you the option of two narrow 10s in a 3-4-3, and an alternative to Palmer in the 10 in a 4-2-3-1. He also gives you ball carrying, which Chelsea don't really have. Palmer is a passer, facilitator and finisher; Joao Pedro has the hold up and link up play, plus calm finishing. Neither picks up and drives.
Jackson is the only other player with that profile, although I think Delap can also do it when firing.
£117m is a lot, until you see the price of other players in the market, especially midfielders. I also wouldn't be surprised to see at least one Chelsea player on their way to Villa for a somewhat inflated fee, a bit like Kellyman and Maatsen. Both have issues with UEFA rules to work through (and around).
19 Jul 2026 19:17:52
tbh wouldn't mind seeing Cole back on the right, and Rodgers, Caicedo and Enzo together in the midfield would be interesting. Only thing then, potentially, would be pace in the team - maybe need to look at a quick left winger. Not sure if this Palestra is quick, but whoever plays left back hopefully will be quick.
19 Jul 2026 19:38:07
Neither Cole nor Morgan Rogers can tackle or track back that well, compared to Enzo, who also last season scored as many as Rogers and more than Cole. So, yes, it is a false equivalent, but if no Enzo, can we depend on Caicedo alone protecting the back?
19 Jul 2026 19:41:03
Which is why I was worried about us selling Santos, who can also tackle. But my worries would be considerably less if Enzo stays.
Would also like Jackson, not Delap, to be back up or occasional partner for Pedro.