Why Chelsea want to sign “France’s best midfielder”

Chelsea are looking to add to the midfield this summer, with the Premier League outfit set to launch any moves to sign talented six-eighth players ahead of the new campaign.

Although the Blues’ task was made more difficult by finishing 10th last season, they remain one of the biggest outfits, and with Xabi Alonso in charge, it is quiet around Stamford Bridge that this could be the start of a dynasty.

However, like their rivals, Chelsea need a quality midfielder to supercharge Alonso’s system. Attempts to sign veteran Granit Xhaka are proving difficult, but they have agreed a stunning £117m deal to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. That was done in an instant.

A bolt from the blue, Chelsea will welcome one of England’s biggest talents to Stamford Bridge next season, and he could be a game-changer at the start of Alonso’s tenure.

What Morgan Rogers will bring to Chelsea

Rogers, 23, has been described as “one of the best in the world” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, and will bring Chelsea expertise, strength and power as an attacking midfielder.

Since joining Aston Villa from Middlesbrough for an estimated £8m in January 2024, Rogers has blossomed into a superstar, contributing to the rise of Unai Emery’s title-winning outfit.

He is a powerful and unpredictable striker, and Chelsea’s best will improve with him in the team.

He can play ten players, but Rogers is also an electric option on the left, which means, in fact, he can replace Alejandro Garnacho, who was expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after a year out.

By all accounts, Chelsea signed Rogers with the intention of playing him on the left, to accommodate Cole Palmer in the centre. The pair, who are good friends, have unique skills that could be crucial in pushing the Blues back to the top, but they still need more in midfield.

Chelsea are in talks to sign the French star

Chelsea may have to resign themselves to the fact that they may not find another Enzo Fernandez who can match his skill and tenacity on the ball.

The Argentina international is one of the best in the business, but if Rogers and Palmer click together next year, Chelsea may not need a similar overhaul, and could instead target a different shade of midfield profile.

However, they could sign a dynamic new midfielder to help boost Alonso’s outlook on the ground, with Frenchman Manu Kone leading the way.

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Roma’s Kone, with the all-round midfielder available for around £51m this summer.

It is important to emphasize that United are currently in the midst of plans to strengthen their engine room, so there is no time to waste persuading Chelsea, in fact, who are expected to make a formal request in the coming days.

Kone would have been worth the trouble. Although he is not cut from the same cloth as Fernandez from a tactical perspective, he emerges as one of the strongest and most secure midfielders on the market, and will bolster Alonso’s system with the balance he needs in the middle of the park.

Rogers would certainly benefit. The Three Lions star’s ability on the ball and power in dangerous areas make him a dangerous opponent for any opponent, but with Kone bursting through the middle, he could end up playing a full role in Fernandez’s absence.

France failed to perform well in the tournament against Spain, who defeated them in the semi-finals, but Kone faced them in a three-on-two battle. It was a mistake for Didier Deschamps, and Kone is still the best midfielder in France in this World Cup, according to expert Rio Ferdinand.

It was just an extension of his home form with Roma in Serie A. Kone played a key role in helping Roma reach their first Champions League qualification in Serie A for nine years, completing 90% of his passes and 62% of his dribbles, and winning 5.3 duels per game.

“He is a formidable midfielder”, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig, and what the Blues need to deal with the possible loss of Fernandez, to find a like-minded partner for Moises Caicedo and perhaps create a base where Cole Palmer can search for the world-class form that escaped under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior last year.

Kone is the real deal, and with Man United stepping up their interest, Chelsea better get that offer right away, and re-sign Rogers.