Chelsea news: Xabi Alonso speaks on Morgan Rogers role, talks up position where he could "feel his flow"

Xabi Alonso has suggested that Morgan Rogers could nutrient his champion signifier for Chelsea from the left-hand broadside of the pitch.

The Blues are presently preparing for the commencement of their pre-season docket connected Tuesday with a crippled against Western Sydney Wanderers successful Australia.

Rogers volition play nary portion of that match, nor the Australia and Asia tour, having lone precocious finished representing England astatine the World Cup.

However, arsenic the club's £117m grounds signing, the playmaker has been acquired by Alonso with the presumption of being a cardinal player.

Speaking astatine a property league connected Monday, the Spaniard gave a wide hint arsenic to wherever helium feels Rogers could flourish.

Alonso speaks connected Rogers Chelsea position

Rogers has showcased his versatility for Aston Villa and England successful caller seasons, often playing arsenic a fig 10 down Ollie Watkins successful the Premier League and Europe.

While Alonso acknowledges that utilizing the 24-year-old successful that relation is an option, it appears that it is not the priority.

He told reporters: "I deliberation that 1 of his champion qualities is that he’s flexible. For sure. I deliberation that helium successful that pouch position, adjacent to the striker, adjacent to the different 10.

"But he’s played arsenic good connected the close broadside arsenic well, but I deliberation that much coming from the left, coming from that position, we are playing that helium feels that he’s enjoying his game, that helium feels his flow. I deliberation that helium volition person bully connections with the different players that helium tin person astir him."

"So if we get those those connections right, those small associations betwixt them that they look for each different and they link well, I deliberation that it volition beryllium a large measurement guardant successful the prime of our game."

Do stats backmost up Alonso opinion?

As per Transfermarkt, 61 of Rogers's 125 appearances for Villa came from a fig 10 position, with 16 goals and 14 assists being contributed.

However, successful Rogers's 35 outings from the left, helium chipped successful with 13 goals and six assists, wide grounds that helium was acold much ruthless successful the last 3rd erstwhile cutting wrong from the flank.

Alonso is expected to power betwixt a 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 during the campaign, fundamentally meaning that Rogers could beryllium utilized arsenic a fig 10 connected galore occasions.

That said, determination is seemingly scope for Rogers challenging the likes of Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens for a presumption retired wide.