Chelsea splash £117m on Rogers, Arsenal left fuming

A seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge. No surprise there. Rogers' move eclipses the £116m Manchester City coughed up for Elliot Anderson just a few months back. Sky Sports broke the news, naturally.

Rogers, predictably, spouted the usual lines about Xabi Alonso's 'philosophy' and 'attacking approach' being a 'key factor.' Of course. Then there's the 'reunion' with Cole Palmer. They go way back, apparently, since England youth. Convenient.

Arsenal, meanwhile, had Rogers at the top of their wishlist. But they wouldn't cough up. Chelsea did. This is the kicker: Rogers leaves Champions League football at Villa. For a Chelsea side with no European nights next season. Go figure. Jody Morris, a former Chelsea man, called it an 'eyebrow-raising shift.' He's right. Morris still lauded the kid's quality, mind you. Pointed to his versatility across the front line. That much is true.

Morris reckons Rogers slots in anywhere across Alonso's attack. He's got the pedigree, apparently. Premier League, internationals, even thrived under Unai Emery at Villa. Now, Rogers is a full England international. Joining an 'ambitious' Chelsea rebuild, they say. We'll see how ambitious that looks without European football.