Morgan Rogers of Chelsea
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Morgan Rogers might have been the Premier League signing of the summer despite costing Chelsea £117 million from Aston Villa. Rogers has already contributed six goals and four assists for the Blues in just 11 matches in all competitions.
The former Villa star has linked up well with Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto in Chelsea’s front four, which have been really entertaining this season. The only concern for Rogers is that he has played an unbelievable amount of football over the last year or so.
Fatigue and injuries are always unfortunate, but sometimes they can be expected due to extreme workloads. Rogers could probably do with a rest from time to time, but his main understudy, Jamie Gittens, has been injured himself for months.
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Neto gotta be in for a shout surely?
Shuffle Estevao and Neto equally Lacroix besides Colwill at the center Shuffle Acheampong with James and Lacroix Henderson shuffles with Lavia Barco shuffles with Caicedo
I don't think anyone would question the midfield or forwards based on what we have seen so far this season, but if Estevao does not deliver or track back then Neto gets in. Defence is the main issue and Josh has to play IMO. My doubt is Reece because of his ftness
Jamie Gittens’ absence is becoming a problem for Chelsea and Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers was signed to start on the left of Chelsea’s attack, whether out wide or as a left-sided No.10. Rogers is a significant upgrade on Alejandro Garnacho, who made the opposite move from Stamford Bridge to Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have a plethora of left-footed attackers who prefer to play on the right: Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Geovany Quenda and Cole Palmer. However, only Rogers and Jamie Gittens want to cut inside from the left wing onto their stronger right foot.
Therefore, Gittens should be competing with, or at least backing up, Rogers in Xabi Alonso’s team. Unfortunately, the former Borussia Dortmund winger played just 55 minutes under Alonso before suffering an ankle injury on international duty with England Under-21s.
Chelsea players with most minutes played in 2026/27
Chelsea Appearances Minutes
Morgan Rogers 12 996
Cole Palmer 11 926
Maxence Lacroix 11 859
Josh Acheampong 11 851
Pedro Neto 12 842
Levi Colwill 10 823
While Gittens has been out for six weeks, Rogers has played virtually every minute available for Chelsea. Rogers has played 996 minutes in total, more than any of his teammates, including 993 minutes in the Premier League, which represents 97.9% of the maximum.
Rogers has played 70 minutes more than Cole Palmer and 137 more than Maxence Lacroix, who tore his hamstring against Liverpool last week. Josh Acheampong (851), Pedro Neto (842) and Levi Colwill (823) have been Alonso’s next three most-used players.
Given that Rogers also made more appearances for club and country (71) than anyone in Europe’s top five leagues last season, it would seem sensible to rest him occasionally. That role should be occupied by Gittens, so the sooner he returns from injury, the better.
Not to mention, the 20-year-old has yet to find his feet at Stamford Bridge following his £48.5 million move from Dortmund last summer. Gittens has shown flashes of promise, but he probably needs to prove his value at some point this season if he does not want to be replaced.