Ex-Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has controversially claimed that Morgan Rogers needs to do more to justify his £117m price tag.

Speaking to PariuriX.com, Johnson suggested he would only be completely convinced that Rogers is the real deal if he scores 20+ goals every season:

“I’m not totally sold just yet on Morgan Rogers. Obviously he’s a great player, and he’s done very well, but you don’t become a world-class player in six games. I’m not saying he can’t go on to do that, but you definitely need to do it for a number of seasons, and for the whole season.”

“He’s looked great, he’s got a huge price tag. I wouldn’t say he’s gone down as the best signing yet. Listen, if we’re sat here at the end of the season and he’s scored twenty odd goals and Chelsea have had a great season, then fair play. But to start making those calls after six games, I think it would be very premature.”

“The price tag plays a role, of course, especially as Chelsea didn’t need to spend that kind of money in that position. Lacroix, the centre-back, they needed him more, and he was £52m. To me, that was a better signing because you needed that position more and you’ve done clever business by getting him for around £50 million.”

“I know attacking players naturally have a higher price tag and that’s not Morgan’s fault. In terms of a £117 million signing, you kind of expect four goals (so far this season). Which is kind of a pressure on him he doesn’t deserve because he didn’t choose the price tag. All he can do is keep improving his game and let everybody talk around him and not get pulled into it.”

“Maybe I am saying that because it was £117 million, but he still has plenty to prove. But listen, I hope I’m wrong, and he scores 20-odd goals and continues to do it for four or five years, and I’ll say he’s worth every penny.”

Rogers has been outstanding since arriving at the club

It’s hard to see what more the 24-year-old could do to persuade Johnson and others that he will end up being a top signing for the Blues.

Rogers has 4 goals and 4 assists in his first 8 appearances since his arrival from Aston Villa in the summer. It means he is averaging 1 goal contribution every match.

This is no fluke either. Rogers’ goal and assist record has been phenomenal for the past three seasons. During the 2024/25 campaign, he managed 30 in total (14 goals and 16 assists). Last season, he racked up 26 (14 goals and 12 assists). Based on his start at Chelsea, he is well on his way to surpassing both of those figures.

Is he the best signing Chelsea made last summer?

Johnson is, of course, right to expect a lot from a player who cost £117m, but he is delivering the goods. In contrast, Maxence Lacroix has had a rather mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge, while injuries have curtailed Marco Palestra’s game time.

Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarria have impressed when given opportunities, but Rogers is undoubtedly the best of the bunch so far.