Chelsea’s dream of luring Morgan Rogers to Stamford Bridge may have to remain just that, for the time being.
The recently crowned world champions are in the process of constructing a squad worthy of their new-found status as they eye further honours in the upcoming season.
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Boss Enzo Maresca has set his sights on Premier League glory after landing both the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup trophies in his first season in the dugout.
And to do that, the Italian knows that more quality is needed to compete with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City for next season’s crown.
The big-spending Blues have pinpointed Aston Villa star Rogers as a game-changing acquisition to help take Chelsea into the next phase of their reconstruction.
Reports suggest the west London club are ready to offer as much as £80million to bring the attacking midfielder to Stamford Bridge this summer.
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England international Rogers starred for Villa last season with a succession of impressive displays during the club’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals.
But it is all likely to be a pipe dream according to talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook, who claims the Villans have no interest in offloading the 22-year-old.
“Morgan Rogers I think is the one Villa player that is off limits to clubs this summer,” he said on Breakfast.
“I think they do need to make a sale in order to balance the books in terms of PSR. It’s far more likely they cash in on Jacob Ramsey.
“Chelsea are interested in Morgan Rogers but as I say, I think the message at the moment from Villa is that he is not for sale.
“I think he’s got to be careful as well, Morgan Rogers, because they’ve got so many players, Chelsea.
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“Is he a guaranteed starter there, in a World Cup year? He knows if he stays at Villa, Unai Emery loves him, they’re going to build the team around him.
“I think he’s on the plane to the USA, I think leaving at this moment in time would be a risk.”
Chelsea could be tempted to use striker Nicolas Jackson as a bargaining chip in any potential deal for Rogers.
Aston Villa are monitoring the Senegal striker along with Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho, as reported by talkSPORT on Wednesday.
Villa boss Unai Emery knows first hand about Jackson’s qualities having worked alongside the striker during the pair’s time together at Villarreal.
Emery handed Jackson his debut back in 2021 and could be set for a reunion this summer as the Midlands club look to finally replace Jhon Duran who departed in the January transfer window.
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As for Chelsea, it appears inevitable that players will need to move on this summer as Maresca gets to grips with trimming his bloated squad.
Noni Madueke has sealed a switch to Arsenal, although an announcement hasn’t yet been made. Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku is also angling for a move having failed to cement a place in the starting XI.
Jadon Sancho has returned to Manchester United as he couldn’t convince Chelsea to make last season’s loan move permanent.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have added firepower this summer with the arrivals of Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian and Joao Pedro.
