Chelsea take sly dig at Arsenal after completing record Morgan Rogers deal

Chelsea completed a record British deal to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa after beating Arsenal to him. The Blues decided to a cheeky dig at their London rivals after Rogers picked them over the current Premier League champions.Rogers helped Aston Villa win Europa League last season (Courtesy: Reuters)Chelsea have taken a sly dig at Arsenal as they announced the signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a record British deal. Reports suggest that the Blues have signed the midfielder on a deal worth 117 million pounds, making him the most expensive British player in history.PREMIER LEAGUE: FULL COVERAGERogers was linked with a move from Villa after his heroics last season for them as the midlands club won the Europa League and made it to next season's Champions League. The 23-year-old was considered to be the main target for Arsenal this season and many reports stated that he was on the verge of joining the current Premier League champions.However, Chelsea swooped in at the right time and were able to land the midfielder. In the video announcing his arrival, it seemed like they decided to rub the fact on Arsenal's face with a simple message. "He chose Chelsea," read the statement on the tweet on X. (Credit: Chelsea X) Rogers, who is capable of operating both out wide and in an advanced midfield role, ends his two-year spell at Aston Villa after playing a key part in the club's Europa League triumph in May. The England international was on the scoresheet in Villa's 3-0 win over Freiburg in the final, helping secure the club's first major European title since 1982. The 23-year-old arrived from Middlesbrough in 2024 and went on to net 31 goals across 125 appearances for Villa. His impressive performances also earned him his senior England debut later that year.Rogers carried that form onto the international stage, featuring in seven of England's eight World Cup matches as they finished third. He also enjoyed his most productive Premier League campaign last season, registering 10 league goals.WHY DID ROGERS PICK CHELSEA?Talking about the move, Rogers said that he views Chelsea as the biggest club in London and always admired them as a kid."I'm so excited," said Rogers in a club statement. "For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I've always admired since I was a kid."I'm really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we've got and where the club is heading. That's why I'm here and I can't wait to get started."Rogers and Chelsea will begin their campaign against Fulham on August 24 in the new Premier League season.- EndsPublished On: Jul 22, 2026 10:11 IST