In his latest column, Sky Sports' Paul Merson gives his reaction to Morgan Rogers' stunning £117m move to Chelsea.
Rogers is set to become Britain's most-expensive footballer ever by leaving Aston Villa this summer. He is set to sign a six-year deal, with the option of another year, at Stamford Bridge.
Read below for the Magic Man's thoughts in full about what this move means for Chelsea, Arsenal and Villa...
'I just can't see where Rogers plays'
It's a lot of money. Crazy money. Bringing Morgan Rogers in for £117m isn't what Chelsea needed.
They've got Cole Palmer! They play in the same position! Rogers went to the World Cup instead of Palmer, because they play in the same position.
Unless Chelsea go for the almighty and sell Enzo Fernandez - and swallow the pill for him, because he's not worth £100m - and then play Moises Caicedo at the base, then Rogers and Palmer both ahead of him.
But Joao Pedro is also a No 10. So with Joao Pedro, Rogers and Palmer, Chelsea have bought an attacking midfielder when they already have two very good ones.
Where's Palmer going to be? Stuck out on the right again? He's wasted in that position. And if Rogers is played out on the right - no disrespect, but there are a lot better right wingers than him out there.
For me, Rogers is a No 10. He's at his absolute best in open play. When the game gets broken up and he's running with the ball, he's very good at that.
But he won't get that at Chelsea. At Stamford Bridge, opposition teams kick off and sit 10 behind the ball. There's no space.
And Rogers has got to carry that price tag around with him. He will sit there and say: 'there is no pressure on me, I didn't pay that fee'. But it's a load of rubbish. Everybody will look at that when you don't do well.
A lot of people were saying it was too much for Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo when they moved for £100m. But the biggest compliment I can give them is nobody ever mentions it. They were good signings. That's what Rogers has got to hope for.
But he's got to make things happen, which is a harder position to be in than Rice and Caicedo were. In midfield, you can do this and that - but Rogers will be judged on scoring and creating goals. That's the hardest job in the world.
I'm also sure that at the start of last season, he was atrocious for Aston Villa. I'm sure he was. Then he came good and then had a good second part of the season.
He can't play like that at Chelsea. That is an absolute no-go, it's a different ball game when you go for that kind of money.
'Arsenal need to move onto Doue or Barcola'
This move tells me that Arsenal were telling Rogers that he would play left wing, and Chelsea have told him that he will play where he wants to play, which is the No 10 role.
Because I have no idea how he goes to Chelsea instead of Arsenal if they're going to play in the same position.
One team looks like they're going to win the Premier League again this year and have a good chance for the Champions League, and one team isn't even in Europe. Unless the money in the seven-year contract is mind-blowing.
Arsenal will have to now go and get another left winger. They'll have to try and get Desire Doue or Bradley Barcola from PSG. There are not a lot of wingers around, but if you want to go top, top drawer and improve what you've got, then that's what they have to get.
I cannot believe they sold Leandro Trossard by the way, I'm flabbergasted by it. They sold him for the price of a cup of tea!
Trossard played in all the big games at the end of the season. Against the big teams, he played and he played for a reason. He's a very good footballer.
He also doesn't come across as someone who stinks the place out or kicks up a fuss when he doesn't' play. He gets on with it, comes on and does his job. I just can't believe what I've seen in that transfer, I don't get it at all.
You have to go out and buy again and buy again if you want to stay at the top. Arsenal need a few players - but they definitely need a left winger if they want to go up another level.
'What is going on at Villa? Konsa could go too...'
I just cannot believe what has happened to Aston Villa in all this.
They've just got into the Champions League, they've pulled up trees and won a European trophy. That's phenomenal for a club like Villa to do that in the same season.
But all of a sudden, they've lost their two best players in Youri Tielemans and Rogers. They're Villa's two best players by a country mile. Their two most creative players have left.
Tielemans was the midfielder who passed the ball, got them up the pitch, got a great range of vision and passing ability. Then Rogers took the ball up the pitch in broken-up play and made things happen.
But those two have gone. If you were Unai Emery and asking who would you sell, Tielemans and Rogers would have been the last two.
And if I was a Villa fan applying for a season ticket, I'd make sure those two players were there first. Because you want to be entertained. And they are entertaining.
And I think Ezri Konsa could go as well. Arsenal might go for him, and Chelsea might buy him too. They need a centre-back.
Johan Manzambi looks alright. But he's just alright. When you look at these players when they come in, you have to ask: who else is after them?
It's the same with Arsenal signing Christos Tzolis. He might be a wonderkid, but they weren't batting elite clubs away to get him. Were Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man City, Man Utd and Liverpool after the likes of Tzolis and Manzambi?
Omolowo
0
No player can snub Arsenal. Arsenal can’t waste such an amount on a player that is not worth it. Chelsea can afford such nonsense hence Arsenal backed out the deal ok.
lol no player can snub Arsenal when did Arsenal arrive, when did Arsenal even think they can go toe to toe with Chelsea for a player, sake of one important trophy in over 22 years I see
Omolowo
0
Average player 🤬 Aston Villa fool Chelsea
We saw you when you bought Grealish from them FOOL
Wocceilp
0
how does it concern him
kopigao
0
This amount 117m already can secured a top class striker, why spend on nobody
Capcikmnrt
0
And is truth
zaabitu
0
Simply because the boy snubbed his darling club Arsenal. Nonsense sports pundit in Paul Merson.
he never snubbed arsenal rather arsenal is the one who refused to pay such amount for him hope u done learn now try they mk research before u talk
Yinadlrtuy
1
Chelsea are very idiot club in world for singing Rogers for this money
la your papa money Chelsea use to buy Roger? you better shut up your mouth and mind your business
nuociosuz
1
Before I used to blame teams for paying overboard for players. Something in me is telling me that Chelsea mgt are not stupid to pay such huge amount. Paying that amount was a collective decision of many senior staff. They probably saw what we did not see. Just let us pray he performs. Roger is a top performer in Aston villa therefore he would attract hefty price. if I may ask, tell me me which other player can attract such huge fees in that club? So, selling one huge aspect will command much
Zaptoez
0
If you have been supporting Chelsea for close to 15years to 20years, you will know that Chelsea have always had 2 quality players per wings before Todd Boehly took over
you don't buy players such amount and keep them on the bench ... except we are selling Enzo.. mind you, we playing once in a week this season and also the is FIFA financial fair play rule.. our central back position is what needs strengthening.. that money can buy 2-3 world-class center-back this buy is more or less a beef buy
Zaptoez
0
If you have been supporting Chelsea for close to 15years to 20years, you will know that Chelsea have always had 2 quality players per wings before Todd Boehly took over
we have more than enough... palmer and enzo can play that role
juhdelmpsy
0
Average player 🤬 Aston Villa fool Chelsea
hudabcdeop
0
Average British Player 😜😅🤣
Gunnerneko
1
Simply because the boy snubbed his darling club Arsenal. Nonsense sports pundit in Paul Merson.
Aren't you the same guy who said overatted and over price English player when Arsenal was in contact? Just admit that Arsenal always let Chelsea spend money on players that they don't need and forget about players they really need like at the moment in defense just admit
Hukblmruz
0
Chelsea are very idiot club in world for singing Rogers for this money
man u stupid
jooaknptu
0
he doesn't even worth 60m
but Fernandez that Tottenham bought from westham what it you guys should receive sense pls allow the blueco to do their business after all is their money now
faseiorsz
0
Simply because the boy snubbed his darling club Arsenal. Nonsense sports pundit in Paul Merson.
No player can snub Arsenal. Arsenal can’t waste such an amount on a player that is not worth it. Chelsea can afford such nonsense hence Arsenal backed out the deal ok.
Boychase1
0
Palmer and Rogers can play together, the problem imo is that Estevao will see less minutes again this season
Says who
Boychase1
0
he is right we don't need Rogers what we need is osimeneh
Oga go sleep who be this one self
Cezdlstuyz
2
Simply because the boy snubbed his darling club Arsenal. Nonsense sports pundit in Paul Merson.
Cahilmopr
1
he is right we don't need Rogers what we need is osimeneh
kadbcklruz
1
Palmer and Rogers can play together, the problem imo is that Estevao will see less minutes again this season
wukblmn
1
we desperately need fabian ruiz and boauddi
Hunacdluz
0
Arsenal fans and pundits are delusional and foolish.
Naokmptuz
0
That's how chealse have been doing, by buying expensive players but will never win the title.
You just started watching football probably. Is Club World Cup not a Title? Uefa Conference League isn't a Title too. Yeye you. Which Trophy is left in Club Football for Chelsea to win.
Doninprtu
0
That's how chealse have been doing, by buying expensive players but will never win the title.
Never win a title you say how foolish are you huh??
Naokmptuz
2
I totally agree with this.. we should only consider this signing if enzo left.. except He will be playing as a left winger or left attack ...
If you have been supporting Chelsea for close to 15years to 20years, you will know that Chelsea have always had 2 quality players per wings before Todd Boehly took over
Vehbcmnryz
0
Paul truly chelsea fans base don't need your opinion on any player that the club need and desire, advice arsenal rather.
AFerxAwi2168
0
Chelsea are very idiot club in world for singing Rogers for this money
Pain is this you
AFerxAwi2168
1
That's how chealse have been doing, by buying expensive players but will never win the title.
Pain is this you we are still Dey club world champions remember
rodcinortu
1
fake 🤥 i believe Romano..
dacblnorsu
1
English pundits and their hypocrisy, if the coach wants the boy and Chelsea board didn't buy him, they'll say they don't buy him his desired players, now they bought, he's too expensive, they don't know where he'll play. if you know how to use players why not go and take a coaching job. hypocrite
Zaptoez
1
I totally agree with this.. we should only consider this signing if enzo left.. except He will be playing as a left winger or left attack ...
Ayobamiadeayo
1
Anyway good luck to you 👍
Wosdikrt
1
paul merson u did not want rogers to chelsea or what
Pihbcdiouy
1
I agree
vunbemntu
1
That's how chealse have been doing, by buying expensive players but will never win the title.
Timolizky
5
when it comes to Chelsea everyone wants to have a say, but Man city signed an Elliott Anderson for almost same amount but no one said all this shit about it
Wembdeotuz
5
117 is nothing if he's going to add more trophies to our trophy cabinet, Chelsea always shut those mouths and this time it will be for good
Noble1
4
What I think is this, Chelsea have signed Rogers to play on the left wing, but not as a winger or an inverted winger, rather as a pocket player who plays just off the left wing, consists cutting infield and most times switching with Palmer in the 10 position to cause chaos in the final third. And on top of this deal, I think Chelsea will then sell Garnacho or Jackson to Aston Villa in return. Yeah, Villa needs players in attacking third, and getting Garnacho and Jackson is a good way to cover the holes left by selling Rogers who scores goals. This is my theory. I could be wrong though. Chelsea fans, tell me what you think.
Razbiotuy
0
bring vini and fabian rules. good job
Jodadioty
3
Is that ur money what is ur problem
Razbiotuy
1
ur so stupid it's your money good signing bring more
raybnpruz
1
Site down
Tobbclnpry
0
will become enemies fighting for same position
Richardoghale
1
Chelsea are very idiot club in world for singing Rogers for this money
Mugu
motabeikot
1
good observation
Jikabdikt
5
he doesn't even worth 60m
Jikabdikt
2
stupid signing it's crazy
Lueikouz
3
Chelsea are very idiot club in world for singing Rogers for this money