Pep Guardiola's Morgan Rogers admission speaks volumes as Chelsea face £80m transfer problem

Chelsea are considering a number of options as the club looks to provide Enzo Maresca with another attacking player this summer.

The Blues have already brought in the likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez this summer to give Maresca more depth in his second season in charge at Stamford Bridge. However, there have also been a couple of departures with Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho both departing - the former for £52million and the latter returning to Manchester United after his loan spell ended.

There could be more attackers on their way out of SW6 as well, with the likes of Joao Felix, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling and Marc Guiu all linked with moves away. Felix, Broja and Sterling are free to leave on permanent deals, while any departure for Guiu would most likely be a loan deal, football.london understands.

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Nicolas Jackson continues to be linked with a move elsewhere but sources continue to insist there are no plans to sell the 24-year-old Senegal striker this summer. Chelsea view Jackson as a potential £100million striker in the future and are keen to head into the 2025/26 season with two out-and-out No.9s - potentially Jackson and Delap - as well as a versatile forward who can occupy a number of positions, like Joao Pedro.

Christopher Nkunku is still expected to leave despite the Frenchman impressing in the FIFA Club World Cup final win against Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey last weekend. Nkunku has made his intentions to leave clear to Chelsea and the club will not stand in the 27-year-old's way should a suitable offer arrive, football.london has been told.

With such uncertainty over numerous attackers in the Chelsea ranks, it does make space for further additions. The Blues have an interest in the likes of Morgan Rogers, Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho, although there is nothing advanced with any of the three at the time of writing.

Rogers presents the most expensive option of the three with Aston Villa said to be demanding a fee in the region of £80million for the 22-year-old's signature. Perhaps for good reason, though. The England international has been exceptional for Villa since signing in February 2024 from Middlesbrough.

Boro came calling to sign Rogers in 2023 with the then 20-year-old not getting any game time at Manchester City. Despite showing immense promise, Rogers was not able to break his way into the first team at the Etihad Stadium. It is no wonder given the City team on show at the time - the side that won the infamous treble in the 2023/24 season.

Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of Rogers and his talents, though, and City clearly believed he would come good as they received 25% of the fee Villa paid Boro for his services due to a sell-on clause inserted into his deal. Before coming up against Villa last season, Guardiola gave Rogers the ultimate seal of approval.

"It was a team that won the treble," Guardiola explained when asked about Rogers in December 2025. "Sometimes it's the right time to give the [player] a chance. Of course, everyone knows how good Morgan is.

"In that age, at the moment, we have the players we have that allowed us to create the most successful eight years in football history. In our club, comparing in this 35 or 40 days it's not good.

"Sometimes when they arrive they are three years younger, in that moment there are players in their prime, David Silva, Bernardo [Silva], Riyad [Mahrez] and Raheem [Sterling]. Sometimes it is difficult and that is the only reason why.

"That situation right now, of course these types of players would be with us but it's always about the right moment. I'm happy for him as he is a lovely guy. He exploded last season and this season. He is an exceptional player."

Chelsea are all too aware of this. However, the £80million asking price is too high for the Blues and would present an enormous stumbling block. Watch this space, though.