Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed he has a clear plan to deploy club-record signing Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer, expressing confidence that the £117 million midfielder will make an immediate impression at Stamford Bridge.

Rogers made history last week when he completed his move from Aston Villa, becoming the most expensive British player of all time. The 24-year-old is currently on holiday following England's World Cup campaign, while Chelsea have already departed for their pre-season tour in Sydney.

"In that position we needed an important player and I'm sure there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers," Alonso said. "You need players who can have that almost instant impact and I'm sure Morgan won't need much time to adapt to the club, the system and his team-mates."

Rogers has put pen to paper on a six-year contract at Chelsea, with an option to extend by a further year. Alonso dismissed any concerns about his new signing's readiness despite the midfielder yet to join pre-season training.

A partnership built on friendship

The prospect of Rogers linking up with Palmer carries a personal dimension — the two England internationals have spoken openly about being among each other's closest friends in football, and Rogers has previously expressed his desire to play alongside Palmer at club level.

"I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well," Alonso said. "We need to have a good mix. If we get that balance right and those special players in the right positions, with good control, then we will be more competitive with and without the ball."

More arrivals — and departures expected

Chelsea are also poised to confirm the £52 million acquisition of France defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. At 26, Lacroix would become Chelsea's oldest signing since 2022.

The west London club have already added winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting, striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg, and full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta this summer. Midfielder Valentin Barco, also from Strasbourg, is expected to follow in the coming weeks.

Those arrivals will push Chelsea's squad close to 40 players, making a significant clearout an inevitability before the transfer window closes.

"We need to know that there will probably still be some movement," Alonso acknowledged. "We need to be flexible and quick to act. The main thing is that we have a clear idea, a clear plan that we have built. It will probably change before the transfer window closes."