Xabi Alonso explains how Rogers and Palmer can shape Chelsea’s new identity

Xabi Alonso has outlined how he plans to fit Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer into the same Chelsea attack, insisting tactical flexibility rather than a fixed formation will shape his first season at Stamford Bridge.

Rogers, Chelsea’s £117 million club-record summer signing from Aston Villa, could make his Premier League debut for the club against Fulham on Monday night after scoring in the final pre-season win over Real Sociedad.

His arrival has given Alonso another elite creator but also presented an immediate tactical question. Rogers and Palmer are both comfortable operating between the lines, carrying the ball into central areas and influencing attacks from No.10 positions.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the west London derby, Alonso said Chelsea would not be restricted to one way of playing and must be capable of changing according to the demands of individual matches.

That approach was visible against Real Sociedad, when Rogers and Palmer operated as two attacking midfielders behind João Pedro and regularly exchanged positions rather than remaining in fixed zones.

Alonso also believes Palmer requires freedom to find the spaces where he can have the greatest influence. The Chelsea head coach described the England international as highly intelligent and said establishing the right connection with him has been an important part of his early work at the club.

The wider objective, however, extends beyond accommodating two of Chelsea’s most valuable attackers.

“Above the football qualities, above the tactics, for me it’s the soul of the team,” Alonso told Sky Sports as he explained the identity he wants Chelsea to develop.

The Spaniard believes that identity will take time, but Chelsea’s opening Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage provides the first competitive examination of the principles developed during pre-season.

Rogers and Palmer have already played together for Manchester City’s academy and England, and both have spoken positively about renewing that partnership at club level. How Alonso combines their different qualities could now become one of the defining tactical questions of Chelsea’s season.