Rogers’ £117m price tag makes him Chelsea’s record signing and places him among the most costly players in world football, with only Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Alexander Isak costing more. With BlueCo seemingly reshaping the club’s approach, Xabi Alonso reported to be in the dugout as Chelsea refocuses on domestic matters for the upcoming season. Optimism is rising around West London that the Blues can enjoy a strong campaign.
Rogers will undoubtedly face scrutiny, particularly after Chelsea confirmed he will wear the number 17 shirt. The vacancy arose following Andrey Santos’ move to Manchester United, leaving the jersey open for the new signing.
Some of Chelsea’s most notable players have worn the number 17 in the past. While Santos’ time at Stamford Bridge was brief, the shirt has been worn by several Chelsea legends. Eden Hazard stands out as one of the club’s modern greats who wore 17 early in his Chelsea tenure before switching to number 10. Hazard became a four-time Chelsea Player of the Season and is remembered as one of the club’s best.
Chelsea’s number 17 history also includes players such as Petit at the end of his Chelsea spell, and later Bosingwa, Mateo Kovacic, and Pedro. Even Mo Salah wore the 17 shirt during his time with Chelsea before moving on to Roma and then Liverpool.
There have been misfires as well, with players like Saul Niguez and Raheem Sterling among those who didn’t meet expectations in this shirt. Rogers will be hoping to be more Hazard than Sterling as he commits to a deal through 2033.
If Rogers can replicate the 2025-26 form, he could emerge as a Chelsea standout. Last season, Chelsea’s attackers were underwhelming, with Joao Pedro standing out by contributing to 20 Premier League goals and earning Chelsea’s Player of the Season honors. Other attackers like Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, and Estevao had opportunities to excel but didn’t consistently meet expectations. From a starting position in the number 10 role, Rogers produced 16 Premier League goals and assists, positioning him as a key creative and scoring asset.
If Rogers maintains a similar output in the 2026-27 season, he would likely rank among Chelsea’s top contributors for goals and assists, justifying the substantial transfer fee. As he adjusts to life at Chelsea and the rigors of top-flight football, the coming season will be pivotal in determining whether the investment pays off and whether Rogers can become a central figure for Chelsea’s attack.
