Only one week ago, Chelsea supporters would have reacted to Morgan Rogers' name with a shrug of their shoulders.
The English persuasion might have smiled a small smile after his cross met Anthony Gordon and served the nation their latest false dawn, but for all intents and purposes, the Aston Villa superstar was headed for Arsenal in a big-money move.
But Chelsea hijacked that deal. Rogers' head was turned by the Blues' viper-like lunge at the Three Lions star's signature, and now he will play a leading role in Chelsea's Premier League resurgence under Xabi Alonso's management.
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In a different fashion, he could even become the Blues' new version of Cole Palmer.
Why Rogers can be Chelsea's new Palmer
When Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £42.5m in August 2023, he revolutionised the Londoners' attack. That first campaign, led by Mauricio Pochettino, the emergent superstar posted 25 goals and 15 assists across 45 games during that first year.
Rogers is more of a runner than Palmer, more of a penetrative attacking threat, but he could enjoy a similar impact in west London, scoring goals and supplying assists by the bucketload alongside his partner, whose languid creative style might actually work perfectly in tandem. Rogers will play off the left, and he will push forward with fearless intensity; Palmer will pick him out and find space created by Rogers' running.
It's exciting stuff, but given the rut Chelsea are in after such a disappointing tenth-place Premier League finish, Rogers could actually leapfrog Palmer and emerge as Alonso's talisman next season, spearheading the fightback.
At Aston Villa, Rogers has scored 31 goals and supplied 29 assists across only two-and-a-half years. His physical and intense performances have led Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp to hail him as "one of the world's best", not only for his elite ability, but the application of that talent.
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The fact that Palmer will play alongside his long-time friend at Stamford Bridge is a big juicy bonus, one which could pay dividends, but Chelsea still need more to cement the Alonso era, and BlueCo may actually have their sights trained on an even bigger coup than the 23-year-old attacker.
Chelsea ready approach for bigger coup than Rogers
Chelsea have already had to sell Marc Cucurella this summer, and they may yet lose Enzo Fernandez too. The Argentina international wants to draw down the curtain on his Stamford Bridge career, but Chelsea will only cash in for a record-breaking £120m fee.
Enzo Fernandez
But they are strengthening. Rogers has arrived, and Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix is next, the Frenchman set to arrive for a £52m fee in what could prove a big upgrade on Como-bound Trevoh Chalobah.
Should they need to repeat that trick if/when Fernandez leaves, they could replace him with Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes.
As per reports from Turkey, Chelsea are considering an approach for the 28-year-old, who has emerged as Arsenal's top target after a number of rejected bids.
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Newcastle don't want to sell, but they have learned from their past mistakes, and they would reluctantly cash in on the Brazilian "superstar", as he has been described by Toon writer Charlie Bennett, for around £80m.
Guimaraes might have intimated his desire to sign for Arsenal this summer, but Chelsea have already shown through the addition of Rogers that they can pip their London rivals to top targets.
And Guimaraes would be worth the effort. He might not be a spring chicken anymore, but the Toon leader has been the linchpin of Eddie Howe's project, and has a wealth of Premier League experience that would make him the ideal catalyst at the heart of Alonso's squad.
Guimaraes is a man of many talents, but his consistency since first arriving in the Premier League is a thing to behold. He is combative and cultured on the ball, but he would also add so much potency in attack.
Bruno Guimaraes in the Premier League
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BBC Sport's Raj Chohan has also hailed him as "one of the best progressive passers in the world", so if Enzo is sold for a staggering sum, this could be the perfect way to replace him, maybe even improve upon him.
Rogers may be the younger man, and with plenty of potential still untapped, but the impact Guimaraes would enjoy at Stamford Bridge could make all the difference for Alonso's Chelsea.
Chelsea need an instant lift. They need to challenge for titles from the get-go, because that is in their blood, that is what makes this outfit so special, an ability to maintain pursuit of golden medals even when things aren't going so well.
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Guimaraes would centralise Alonso's vision. His passing and vision and leadership and skill would take root at the heart of Stamford Bridge, and he would lead the way, allowing the likes of Rogers and Palmer to do what they do best and take the headlines.
England's Morgan Rogers walks onto the pitch before the match Related
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