Xabi Alonso has been salivating at the opportunity to play Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer in the same Chelsea starting line-up
Chelsea FC Unveil New Signing Morgan Rogers at Chelsea Training Ground on July 21, 2026 in Cobham, England
Morgan Rogers has joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for £117m(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso already appears to have a plan in place to compensate for the potential departure of Enzo Fernandez. The Chelsea vice-captain, who's faced an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge for a while now, continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City as Enzo Maresca looks to bolster his options in the middle of the park.
football.london understands that, despite missing the unofficial deadline to secure Fernandez's signature for £120m at 5pm on Friday, the Cityzens remain interested in wrapping up a deal. It's said that higher-ups at Stamford Bridge are relaxed about the situation and will happily keep the Argentina international for another season.
Alonso has already publicly confirmed that he would prefer to keep Fernandez in his squad, but it remains unclear if he'll stick around. If the 25-year-old leaves before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1, the new Blues manager seems to already have an on-field contingency plan in place.
Speaking recently to Men In Blazers, Alonso expanded on his plan to field a starting lineup featuring both Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer. The Chelsea boss said: "Both of them can be number 10s.
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"Both of them can be number eight or wingers. It’s not just about one position; it’s about dynamism. That they understand and that they connect well with each other."
On the impact Palmer will have on shouldering the workload in the final third, Alonso added: "You need to have confidence. You need to know that the system works, that you are enjoying your game, and that you have your responsibilities.
"Cole is a special player. If we want to have a great Chelsea, we need to have a great Cole. For that, we need to build a strong structure, stable [enough] to reach him in the right places and moments. Then, he will make the difference..."
Cole Palmer of Chelsea attends a press conference at Sky Park on July 31, 2026 in Sydney, Australia
Cole Palmer will soon feature alongside Morgan Rogers(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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So, with that being said, football.london has looked at how Rogers and Palmer could be utilised if Chelsea sell Fernandez.
Rogers and Palmer set for key roles
If Manchester City manage to prise Fernandez from Chelsea before the end of the transfer window, Rogers and Palmer will have to shoulder much of the workload in the final third. Using data provided by BOYLE Sports below, the former Aston Villa talisman recorded 223 progressive carries last season in the Premier League, 6.1 per 90 minutes, alongside five touches in the opposition box per 90.
Rogers boasted a more aggressive penalty-area presence than the wantaway Blues vice-captain, who only managed 2.9. Although there's somewhat of a trade-off, with the new Blues signing recording a passing accuracy of just 74.6 per cent compared to that of Fernandez, who notched 86 per cent, he scored far more goals and provided more assists.
Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Enzo Fernandez compared
Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Enzo Fernandez compared
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Of course, Rogers often played slightly further forward, sometimes on the left, while the Argentina international took up an advanced eight role under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, but the proof is in the pudding.
Even if Fernandez stays at Chelsea, he'll likely be expected to play a little deeper under Alonso in a double pivot anyway, rather than in the two inside forwards roles, either side of Joao Pedro, where the two Englishmen will be and taking ownershipof attacking output.
Alonso drawn to Rogers versatility
When Chelsea signed Rogers, Alonso described him as an 'important player' capable of playing up to four positions. Speaking to CFC+ last month, the Blues manager dropped the first hint that the former Aston Villa talisman's arrival could affect others' roles and responsibilities.
Alonso said: "For sure, it’s a great signing. In that position, we needed an important player, and there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers. His signing means a lot for everyone and for the players that are already here.
"One of his best qualities is that he is flexible. He plays in that pocket position, close to the striker, close to our number ten – but he has also played on the right side, even though he is more used to coming from the left."