Rogers backs Alonso’s playing quality

Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso could still play in the Premier League, according to new signing Morgan Rogers, who says the Spaniard’s enduring technical quality has helped him win the respect of the Chelsea dressing room immediately.

Alonso will take charge of the Blues in a competitive game for the first time on Monday, as Chelsea visit Fulham for their opening Premier League fixture of the season.

The 43-year-old arrives after a short stint with Real Madrid, where he oversaw a 70% win rate – 24 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses from 34 games – despite lasting only half a season. His reputation was built at Bayer Leverkusen, where he masterminded an unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2023-24. Across his time in charge at Leverkusen he won 62.8% of his matches, 88 wins from 140 games, and holds the best win ratio of any head coach in the club’s Bundesliga history at 64% (60 wins from 94).

Respect from playing pedigree

Rogers told ESPN Brasil that Alonso’s playing career is a major factor in the manager’s authority.

"He's still got it now. There are certain sessions where he'll ping a ball and you'll be like... He could probably still play in the Prem now!" Rogers said. "He's got bags of ability, bags of quality. I think that helps you as a manager as well, with respect element of it."

"He's played the game, he's played in these moments in the big games, in the pressure situations, he's won what he's won as a player. You have that utmost respect for him as a coach and as a manager that he's been in those situations, and he knows how to manage them and handle them. I have massive respect for him as a player and obviously as my manager and my coach."

Alonso’s honours as a player include the 2010 World Cup with Spain and Champions League titles with both Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Tactical freedom for Rogers

Rogers became the most expensive British player in history when he joined Chelsea from Aston Villa, where he registered 56 goal involvements – 31 goals and 25 assists – since joining in 2024. Only Ollie Watkins has more for Villa in that period with 74 involvements (50 goals, 24 assists).

The winger believes Alonso’s approach will suit him as he prepares to link up with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.

"As an attacking player, he allows freedom and he allows rotations and allows me to play off the cuff and to be me, which is the way I want to play and the way I see the game," Rogers said. "Some things you can't explain what you've seen in a game or how you've been, but if you've been given that confidence from the manager, to try and do those things, I think that's where I can be at my best. Those were the conversations I had with him, which I was really excited by and really looked forward to, which is the most important thing for me."