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Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso believes new signing Morgan Rogers has the quality to make the team more competitive and expects the England international to build a strong partnership with Cole Palmer. Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, Alonso praised the club’s latest acquisition, describing Rogers as an important addition who strengthens the squad ahead of the new campaign. The 23-year-old midfielder completed a blockbuster move from Aston Villa last week in a deal worth £117 million, making him the most expensive British player in football history. Chelsea secured his signature after a long pursuit, with the club reportedly tracking the talented playmaker for the past two years. Alonso expressed his delight over the transfer, saying Rogers was exactly the type of player Chelsea needed. “It’s a great signing. We needed an important player in that position, and there were very few better options than Morgan. We are delighted to have him with us,” Alonso said. Chelsea are looking to bounce back after a disappointing Premier League season in which they finished 10th and failed to qualify for European competition. The arrival of Alonso as manager signals the start of a new era at Stamford Bridge, with the former midfielder aiming to rebuild the club into title contenders. Rogers joins an attacking group that already includes Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Estevao, Willian and fellow summer signing Geovany Quenda. Despite having several creative players available, Alonso is confident he has a clear tactical plan to get the best out of his squad. The Spanish coach believes Rogers and Palmer can form a highly effective partnership because of their technical ability and understanding of the game. “I have an idea of how they can play together. They can link really well. It’s about creating the right balance between players who provide stability and those who have the freedom to express themselves,” Alonso explained. He added that if Chelsea manage to position their attacking players effectively, the team will become stronger both in possession and when defending. Alonso also highlighted Rogers’ versatility as one of his greatest strengths. Throughout his career, the England international has demonstrated the ability to operate in several attacking roles, giving Chelsea greater flexibility in different tactical setups. According to Alonso, Rogers is capable of playing behind the striker, on either wing, or in advanced midfield positions. However, he believes the player is most effective when attacking from the left side while drifting into central areas. “We want him to play where he enjoys his football the most and where he feels comfortable. If we build good relationships between our attacking players and they understand each other’s movements, it will improve the overall quality of our game,” Alonso said. Rogers is not part of Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia after representing England at the FIFA Club World Cup, where the national side finished third. The coaching staff are expected to integrate him into the squad once he returns from international duty. Chelsea begin their pre-season preparations with matches against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur before travelling to Hong Kong, where they will face Juventus as they continue building fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the new season.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing criticism after abandoning a controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup, a move that has raised questions about his leadership and decision-making within world football’s governing body. The proposal sparked strong opposition from several football organizations, particularly regional confederations and professional leagues, who argued that such a major commercial decision should not have been pursued without broader consultation. Critics believe the plan exposed concerns over transparency and governance at FIFA. Claudius Schaefer, the chairman of the organization representing 53 professional men’s and women’s football leagues across Europe and the chief executive of the Swiss Football League, said the handling of the proposal had seriously damaged confidence in FIFA’s leadership. According to Schaefer, the situation would have significant consequences in most organizations, especially when a senior executive advances a major business initiative without informing or involving key governing bodies. He suggested that the controversy has left Infantino’s position under increased scrutiny. The proposal was officially withdrawn after widespread resistance from football stakeholders. The decision came following criticism from various regional football confederations, with UEFA and CONCACAF publicly expressing that they had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership after the episode. Schaefer argued that the failed proposal reflected a broader concern about FIFA’s priorities. He said the organization appeared increasingly focused on generating greater commercial revenue rather than protecting the long-term interests of football competitions, players, clubs, and domestic leagues. He also warned that expanding commercial opportunities could encourage FIFA to create even larger tournaments and increase the number of international matches. Such developments, he said, would place additional pressure on an already crowded football calendar. Professional leagues have repeatedly voiced concerns over fixture congestion, arguing that players are being asked to participate in too many matches throughout the season. Domestic competitions, they say, often bear the consequences when international tournaments continue to expand. Schaefer emphasized that national leagues remain the foundation of professional football and should not be weakened by decisions aimed primarily at increasing commercial returns. He argued that any future reforms to international competitions must balance financial objectives with the welfare of players and the health of domestic football. Another major point of criticism centered on FIFA’s decision-making process. Schaefer claimed that even members of the FIFA Council—the organization’s highest decision-making body—were reportedly unaware of the proposal before it became public. He described this lack of consultation as surprising and said it raised serious concerns about governance within FIFA. The controversy has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in football administration. Many stakeholders believe decisions involving the commercial future of the World Cup should involve extensive discussion with FIFA’s governing bodies, member associations, leagues, and other key partners before being considered. Although FIFA has now withdrawn the proposal, the fallout continues to fuel debate over leadership, governance, and the future direction of world football. With criticism coming from influential football organizations across different regions, pressure remains on Infantino to rebuild trust and demonstrate a more inclusive approach to decision-making on matters affecting the global game.