Morgan Rogers rates Chelsea move ‘10 out of 10’ after £117 million transfer

Morgan Rogers has rated his start at Chelsea a “10 out of 10” and says he welcomes the pressure that comes with his club-record £117 million ($148 million) move from Aston Villa. The 22-year-old attacker said the expectation to perform in every match is part of the step he wanted to take.

“10, I’ve enjoyed it,” Rogers said. “I’m feeling as good as I’ve ever felt playing, contributing, scoring goals, assists, creating chances, as good as I ever have done in my career.”

He knows the fee changes how his Premier League performances are judged. “I think people will judge me on a higher pedestal of what I’m delivering, whether it’s worth what I’m being talked about,” Rogers said. “I want to show what I’m about.”

Rogers also addressed an exchange with Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice after Chelsea’s recent 2-1 London derby defeat. The two confronted each other on the pitch immediately after the final whistle, as home supporters reacted vocally. “It is just competitors competing and wanting to win,” Rogers said. “London derby, me getting absolutely dog’s abuse by the fans doesn’t help. All emotions come into one at that moment, but Dec and I are fine.”

His transfer surpassed Chelsea’s previous record signings: midfielder Moises Caicedo, bought from Brighton for £115 million in 2023; Enzo Fernández, signed from Benfica for £106.8 million in 2023; and Romelu Lukaku, who arrived from Inter Milan for £97.5 million in 2021. Chelsea have committed more than £1 billion to transfers since the ownership group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took control in May 2022.

Rogers said he and Rice spoke soon after the match. “We spoke about it after the game. We’re completely fine. It’s just one of those things in football: we want to win. That’s actually a good thing, showing that we put friendships and everything aside and just want to win for our clubs and do what it takes. Sometimes tempers rise a little bit but it’s all good.”

At Stamford Bridge, Rogers has played alongside Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro in a reconstructed attack. Despite attention on the trio’s creative potential, he said their output cannot come at the expense of the team’s structure and defensive responsibilities. “The three of us have spoken together about it, but it’s not just us, it’s a team game,” Rogers said. “You can score as many goals as you want, but if the other teams are scoring the same amount, you’re not going to win games.”

Rogers and Palmer both came through Manchester City’s academy. After Palmer recently withdrew from the England national team squad, Rogers joked that he was happy to be “having a break” from his close friend during the international window.

Rogers said he left Aston Villa after eight months because he wanted to test himself at the highest level of European football. “It was time for me to take that next step and I feel like I want to be seen as one of the best players in the Premier League, one of the best players in the world,” he said. “I need to play with the best players in the world and compete with the best players in the world, and on that bigger stage, and I just feel Chelsea brings that different level of pressure of having to win and having to perform each game.”

Before Villa, Rogers developed in West Bromwich Albion’s youth academy and joined Manchester City in July 2019 for £4 million. Football League loans at Lincoln City, Bournemouth and Blackpool gave him senior experience before a permanent move to Middlesbrough in July 2023. His performances in the 2023–24 EFL Cup, including a goal against Chelsea in the semi-final first leg, drew Villa’s interest.

Villa signed Rogers in January 2024 for an initial £8.8 million, rising to £15 million with add-ons. He established himself in Unai Emery’s starting lineup during the second half of the season and helped Villa finish in the top four and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.