Morgan Rogers has officially been announced as a Chelsea player after a £117m move from Aston Villa, and he has already spoken out after completing his move to Stamford Bridge.
Rogers has hailed Chelsea as 'the biggest club in London' after Arsenal missed out on the England star. The Aston Villa midfielder was initially linked with a switch to the Emirates after his fine form in the Midlands. But Chelsea managed to hijack the move, sealing his services for £117m. Rogers was officially unveiled on Tuesday evening after undergoing a medical with his new employers.
Rogers: Chelsea are the biggest club in London
Speaking after his move was confirmed, he hailed Chelsea as the biggest club in the capital. The England star said: "I'm so excited. For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I've always admired since I was a kid.
"I'm really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we've got and where the club is heading. That's why I'm here and I can't wait to get started."
Xabi Alonso influence and Cole Palmer reunion
Rogers, 23, has joined Chelsea after a stunning season in which he scored 14 goals for Aston Villa and helped the side to the Europa League title. In explaining why he chose to join the Blues, Rogers confirmed that new boss Xabi Alonso was a big influence. He said: "I've had a few conversations with him and 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."
Rogers will also link up with childhood friend Cole Palmer at Stamford Bridge, the pair having grown up together at Manchester City. Speaking about his reunion with the playmaker, he added: "I've known Cole since I was about 14, first in the England [youth] teams and then when we were both at Man City together. We've been speaking about this for a while; we always would love to have played together. So, for it to happen, we're both excited.
"He's non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can't wait. I think that's probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day. It's something I'm really excited about."
