Why did Morgan Rogers choose Chelsea over Arsenal in the £120 million deal?

Morgan Rogers is believed to have been swayed by Chelsea's ambitious project, amid the London club's £117 million deal with Aston Villa.

Chelsea is close to completing the signing of Morgan Rogers after reaching a verbal agreement worth £117 million with Aston Villa. Barring any surprises, the England international will turn down Arsenal's interest to move to Stamford Bridge.

Rogers had been heavily linked with Arsenal throughout the summer transfer window. However, the Emirates Stadium club has not made an offer comparable to Chelsea's and risks losing the target to their city rivals.

According to The Athletic and football.london, there are three key factors that helped Chelsea gain the upper hand in this race.

Chelsea's long-term project

The first reason stems from the vision and long-term development project that Chelsea presented to Rogers during negotiations.

The London club is said to have identified the 23-year-old as a key piece in their future plansrather than just a depth option for the squad.

Rogers can play multiple positions in attack, from attacking midfielder, winger, to supporting striker. His ability to cover ground, carry the ball, and create chances makes him a good fit for the direction of building a young, energetic squad at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea is also ready to offer Rogers a six-year contract with an option to extend for another 12 months. The long duration shows the club's great belief in the England international's development potential.

Meanwhile, although Arsenal closely tracked Rogers throughout the summer, they have not made a competitive offer. Chelsea's more aggressive approach is seen as the differentiating factor in the decisive stage of the deal.

The expected six-year contract with an option to extend for another 12 months also reflects the level of trust Chelsea has in the England international.

The appeal of Xabi Alonso

The arrival of manager Xabi Alonso is the second key reason why Morgan Rogers chose Chelsea.

The Spanish coach was appointed at the beginning of the month and is preparing for his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge. Alonso's reputation and his team-building plan are said to have made a strong impression on the Aston Villa star.

"The potential of the team is already there, from the quality of the players to the quality of the play. Success is the result of good work, quality decisions, and a proper culture that we want to build. If we all share that spirit every day, I think we can be optimistic about the future." The Spanish manager shared.

Alonso's messages are seen as aligning with Rogers' ambitions at a crucial stage of his career. After establishing himself at Aston Villa and the England national team, the 23-year-old wants to continue rising to a higher level.

The opportunity to become a key figure in the new project at Stamford Bridge under Alonso's guidance therefore holds great appeal for Rogers.

Commitment to playing position

The final factor, and perhaps the decisive promise, concerns Rogers' playing position.

According to football.london, Chelsea informed the England international that they plan to use him primarily as a left winger in the upcoming season.

This is an area that allows Rogers to utilize his dribbling ability, cut inside, and link up with teammates upfront. Instead of constantly switching positions or taking on an unstable role, he will be given a clear task in Alonso's system.

This commitment helps Rogers visualize his role at Chelsea more clearly. The 23-year-old is not only being signed for a large fee but also guaranteed a role that suits his best qualities.

Rogers is expected to undergo a medical before signing a long-term contract with the Stamford Bridge club. If the £117 million fee is confirmed, Rogers will become the most expensive signing in Chelsea's history, surpassing the £107 million record they paid for Enzo Fernandez in 2023.