Joe Shields and the rest of Chelsea’s recruitment team are going to be very busy this summer.
Shields is Chelsea‘s co-director of recruitment and talent, meaning that he has a say in arrivals. And there could be quite a few at Stamford Bridge in the next transfer window.
For example, the Blues are likely to sign a central defender or two. Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen appears to be Chelsea’s main target, but there is also interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
The club want to bring in a couple of new offensive players as well, including Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers.
Joe Shields driving interest in Morgan Rogers
At the end of April, it was reported that Chelsea want to bring in Rogers this summer, and it looks like Shields is driving their interest in the 22-year-old.
Journalist Simon Phillips has claimed on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that Shields is keen on Rogers, though bringing him to west London will not be easy for a couple of reasons.
Phillips says Liverpool are also interested in the Englishman, while Villa currently have “zero interest” in selling him.
Rogers is not the only attacker Chelsea are looking at. Chelsea also have Jamie Gittens on their radar, with the England U21 international impressing at Dortmund this season.
Gittens, though, is more of a wide player, while Rogers likes to play as a No.10. However, the Villa man can operate on the flank as well.
Gabriel Agbonlahor on Chelsea’s interest in Morgan Rogers
Chelsea had to pay over £100m twice to sign Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo from Benfica and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively.
For former Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, Rogers is worth around the same amount of money. When Agbonlahor discussed Chelsea’s interest in Rogers last week, he said: “What would Morgan Rogers cost now? £100m as a starter, then talk about add-ons. So I don’t think Chelsea, with their PSR problems as well, will be able to afford that.”
Whether Chelsea are prepared to pay that kind of money again on Rogers remains to be seen, but there definitely seems to be interest there.
