Chelsea certainly bounced back from their opening day bore draw in the Premier League versus Crystal Palace when making the short trip to West Ham United on Friday night.
Despite initially going 1-0 down to the Hammers, the Blues never looked short on confidence at the London Stadium, with a 5-1 demolition job the final outcome, which left ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter shellshocked in the home side’s dug-out.
Away from the impressive displays of Joao Pedro and many others against the Irons, however, Chelsea do look to still be in the market for an exciting attacking addition or two.
Indeed, they look to be close on landing long-term target Xavi Simons’ signature, but he isn’t the only statement addition up top that the Blues seem to be interested in.
Chelsea tempted to make bid for £80m star
It has been a long, drawn-out saga involving BlueCo and the Dutchman this summer.
This could soon come to an end, though, with the Blues – according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg – planning to offer the captivating 22-year-old a contract until 2031, with personal terms already verbally agreed between RB Leipzig and his potential new employers.
Chelsea will have to wave goodbye to reserve figures such as Christopher Nkunku before a move for Simons can be finalised; however, with Aston Villa now touted a surprise next destination for the out-of-sorts Frenchman, as Unai Emery’s men are reportedly interested in a deal.
The Blues could test relations between the two clubs even more by finally landing the services of Villans superstar Morgan Rogers, with GIVEMESPORT revealing that the West London outfit are tempted by a last minute splurge for the Englishman.
Having just been awarded PFA Young Player of the Year, a deal for Rogers to leave Villa Park behind for Stamford Bridge wouldn’t be cheap, with the report stating that a move would only get off the ground if Chelsea were willing to fork out an amount in the excessive £80m ballpark.
How Rogers is a dream Simons alternative
Maresca’s ambitious Blues might well view this as a better deal to chase after than persisting with Simons, with Rogers more than a dream alternative to the Leipzig number ten, when you consider his Premier League capabilities already.
Of course, Simons did have a standout 2024/25 season himself in the Bundesliga.
Across a mere 25 games, the breathtaking 22-year-old would consistently dazzle German top-flight defences, culminating in him picking up a hefty tally of ten goals and seven assists just in league action.
However, Chelsea have been burnt here before – with both Nkunku and Timo Werner going on to be major flops in the Premier League after leaving Leipzig behind – leading to the same anxieties popping up involving Simons.
Therefore, despite the fact Rogers will cost a weighty £80m or more to get through the door, the “sensational” attacker – as he’s been previously lauded by journalist Eduardo Hagn – could be the preferred last-minute option, particularly if Villa are willing to part ways, while the Simons transfer saga rumbles on.
Games played
37
26
Goals scored
8
10
Assists
10
7
Big chances created
16
12
Rogers very much came into his own donning Villa claret and blue last season, with the Stamford Bridge-linked midfielder actually picking up one more goal contribution in the demanding Premier League than Simons managed across his 26 Bundesliga outings.
Moreover, the “unstoppable” gem – as he was dubbed by Jamie Carragher – created four more big chances than his Dutch counterpart, with the addition of the stunning 23-year-old perhaps making Maresca’s men even more genuine title-challengers, after their walk-in-the-park victory at West Ham.
Chelsea won’t turn their noses up at Simons joining, with the former PSV Eindhoven midfielder clearly ready for the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.
But, landing Rogers would be a dream move if that expected arrival goes awry, with Chelsea poaching a sensational talent from a top-flight rival to try and be on the same pedestal as the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal near the very top of the ladder.