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Chelsea plotting bold summer swoop for Aston Villa forward with 14 goals this season
Amid what has been a difficult season for Chelsea’s misfiring attack, the Blues are reportedly preparing a surprise summer move for one of Aston Villa’s breakout stars.
Enzo Maresca’s frontline has looked largely toothless since the turn of the year. Between Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho, and Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea’s attackers have managed just 10 goals since January—a dismal return for a group that cost well over £200 million.
According to The Independent, Chelsea have now set their sights on Villa’s Morgan Rogers as a potential solution to their attacking woes, with the club eager to bring him to Stamford Bridge in the coming months.
Rogers, 22, has been one of English football’s standout performers this season, scoring 14 goals and providing 13 assists in all competitions. His form has helped propel Villa into the Champions League quarterfinals—where they were ultimately eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain—and has kept them firmly in the hunt to qualify for the competition again next season.
Though Villa would prefer to keep him, The Independent reports that the club is under pressure to trim a wage bill that currently exceeds 90% of its revenue. Chelsea believe that may open the door for negotiations with Unai Emery’s side.
A move to West London would reunite Rogers with Cole Palmer, his close friend and former teammate from their days in Manchester City’s youth setup. Rogers spent most of his time at City out on loan, but he and Palmer formed a strong bond during their time together.
How Likely Is Rogers to Join Chelsea?
Morgan Rogers. (Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC)
Assessing the likelihood of Rogers moving to Stamford Bridge is tricky.
On one hand, he only signed a new long-term contract with Aston Villa in November, committing his future to the club until 2030. In a recent interview with Villa’s official website, Rogers expressed his contentment at Villa Park.
“If I’ve got a smile on my face and I’m happy, that’s when I’m at my best – and I’m like that here,” he said. “I love the staff, I love the players I play with. There was no better club to come into than this.”
However, with Rogers now firmly in the England fold and proving himself at the top level, he’ll be aware that he’s ready for consistent Champions League football and the chance to compete for major trophies—something Villa may not always be able to offer. A move to Chelsea would provide that stage, while also giving him the opportunity to link up with Palmer again.
That said, Chelsea’s recent inconsistency, lack of European football, and competition from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City—who are also reportedly interested—mean the Blues will have to work hard to convince Rogers that Stamford Bridge is the right next step.
