Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City Battle for £100m Target: Report

The summer transfer window promises to be a very interesting one for Chelsea, as they head into a new era under Xabi Alonso. 

Earlier on today, we aggregated the reports that the club were targeting three key positions this summer: Centre back, Centre midfield, and left wing. 

Well, this makes the following report very interesting. Indeed, as media outlet TEAMTALK are reporting that Chelsea are set to battle with Arsenal and Manchester City for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers this summer. 

They state that, although the 23-year old signed a new contract only last year, he feels that it may be the right time for him to leave Villa Park, should the right opportunity arise. 

Although they mention the keen interest from both Arsenal and City - the latter of whom he previously played for in the development squad - they state that Chelsea should not be underestimated in this race. 

The Blues' recruitment Joe Shields, was the person who signed Rogers for City from West Bromwich Albion back in 2019. They state that the two have a strong relationship, and that Shields is keen to bring him to SW6. As per the article, Chelsea believe he possesses the versatility, athleticism and technical ability required. 

Let's break this down. As touched on earlier, it has been reported that the club are targeting a centre back, central midfielder and left winger this summer as key targets. One would assume a player as expensive as Rogers would meet the threshold of key target. 

In general, the England international is an attacking midfielder, however he has often played off the left hand side in his career. Villa manager Unai Emery likes to use narrow wingers, which suits Rogers and then John McGinn off of the other side. 

The report that Chelsea want a left winger is also interesting in the sense that it could imply Alonso is planning to use a four at the back formation. Some have assumed that because he used a three at the back during his time in Germany, that he will also definitely use it here. 

However, Alonso used a four at Real Madrid, and won 14 of his first `15 games. It is not set in stone either way, and these reports perhaps suggest it will be a four. 

That said, the signing of Rogers in a way feels like he could be used for a 343, with him and his best friend Cole Palmer used as the number tens behind the striker. The two played at City together, and Palmer's famous cold celebration comes from Rogers himself. They have also been in England squads together, albeit the Chelsea number 20 will not be there at the World Cup this summer.