The Gunners had hoped to sign Rogers for around £80m, but Chelsea hijacked their plans with a successful bid. Chelsea's front three, including Rogers, will be tested by Arsenal's impeccable defence when the two teams meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Rogers has made an excellent start for Chelsea, involved in four of their seven goals in their first two league games.
Chelsea were decisive in their pursuit of Rogers, tracking him before he left Middlesbrough for Villa in February 2024. The signing was not done on a whim, with Chelsea having a good relationship with Villa's owners and moving quickly after opening club-to-club talks. The fee of £117m is the consequence of the market threatening to rise out of control, and it remains to be seen whether Rogers merits becoming the third-most expensive player in English football history.
Rogers has been involved in four of Chelsea's seven goals in their first two league games, scoring in the 3-2 win at Fulham and combining with João Pedro to set up Cole Palmer's goal. He created Pedro Neto's goal in last weekend's 4-3 win over Brighton and played a key role when Jorrel Hato played in João Pedro to score. Chelsea have thrilled in attack so far, with Rogers and Palmer combining to devastating effect.
The Rogers-Palmer partnership has clicked, with the two players old friends and banter over the "ice cold" celebration. Rogers is a bubbly character and can get on with anyone, and Chelsea are keen to improve the culture in the dressing room. The squad are united, and it is one of the reasons why Chelsea decided to sell Enzo Fernández to Manchester City for £125m on deadline day.
Rogers will now face his former suitors, Arsenal, in a Premier League match on Sunday, with the Gunners' defence set to be tested by Chelsea's front three.