Morgan Rogers has some strong and clear praise for Xabi Alonso – and jokes that the Spaniard could still take a place in the Premier League today. “It’s conceivable that Xabi Alonso, who was an extraordinary player and is only 44 years old, actually still has the level inside.
Tonight, Chelsea face a Fulham team in the final game of the first Premier League round of the season. – So far, the first round has brought some surprises with losses to giants such as Manchester United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
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“He still has it!
Rogers joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in July for a staggering £117 million – a British transfer record. And he does not hide the fact that Alonso was a major reason why he chose Stamford Bridge.
Already in training, the international has seen what the new manager can still achieve with the ball at his feet.
“He still has it, I say it,” Rogers told ESPN Brazil.
“There are some sessions where he hits a ball, and you just stand there and think… he could probably play in the Premier League even now, to be honest.
“He has an incredible amount of technique. An unbelievable amount of quality.
The respect is already there
Alonso had a brilliant playing career with stints at Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – as well as 114 caps for Spain. He won the Champions League twice as a player, and also won league titles in both Spain and Germany before retiring.
And that experience, Rogers believes, gives Alonso a very special authority in the dressing room.
“I think it helps you as a manager, just that with respect,” says Rogers.
“He has played football. He has been in these moments, in the big games, in pressure situations. He has won what he has won as a player.
“You simply have the deepest respect for him as a coach and manager.
Rogers poised to flourish in west London
Rogers is also inspired by how Alonso has described the role he will have in the Chelsea team.
The attacker believes that the manager gives attacking players a lot of freedom – exactly the kind of freedom that allowed Rogers to flourish at Aston Villa.
“As an attacking player, he gives me the freedom to rotate, to play on instinct and to be myself. That’s exactly how I want to play, and how I see the game,” says Rogers.
For Rogers, this freedom was a decisive factor when he accepted the transfer.
He believes Alonso’s approach can give him the confidence to take chances and express himself, rather than being held back by a rigid tactical system.
“Some things you can’t explain – what you’ve seen in a match or how you’ve experienced it. But when the manager gives you the confidence to try and do those things – then I think I’m at my best,” he says.
“Those were exactly the conversations I had with him. I was really excited, really excited and really imagined that I could play in his team. And that’s the most important thing for me.
“I’m just incredibly excited, and can’t wait to see how this develops – and how I can become the best version of myself.
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