Morgan Rogers is set to reunite with former Manchester City youth teammates Cole Palmer and Liam Delap at Chelsea ahead of the upcoming season, marking a significant reunion for the trio who were part of the City side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2020.

The final, played on November 2, 2020, at St George’s Park behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, featured a notable clash between Chelsea and Manchester City’s Under-18 squads. Alongside Palmer and Delap, City’s lineup that day also included James McAtee, who has since moved to Nottingham Forest. Chelsea initially took the lead through Marcel Lewis, but City responded with goals from McAtee, Rogers, and Palmer, securing a 3-2 victory following an own goal from Chelsea defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Rogers’ journey since that final has involved a series of loans and transfers. After featuring in the FA Youth Cup final, Manchester City loaned him to Lincoln City in League One, where he scored six goals in 25 league appearances. Subsequent loan spells at Bournemouth and Blackpool followed as Rogers sought regular first-team action.

Despite his talent, Rogers ultimately found opportunities limited at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola. Guardiola has acknowledged the difficulty young players face breaking into a team boasting established stars like Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane, and Raheem Sterling. “Sometimes when they arrive, they are two or three years younger,” Guardiola explained, highlighting the timing and competitive nature of the squad as factors influencing such decisions.

By the summer of 2023, Rogers moved to Middlesbrough and later secured a transfer to Aston Villa for an initial £8 million fee. His performances at Villa elevated his profile, earning him a place in England’s plans and contributing notably, including an assist in the Euro semi-final against Argentina that helped Anthony Gordon score.

Chelsea’s acquisition of Rogers for £117 million from Aston Villa was finalized this summer, reinforcing the club’s strategy to bolster their squad with promising young talent. The move was reportedly influenced by Chelsea’s head coach Xabi Alonso, who personally engaged with Rogers to outline the club’s project and the player’s prospective role. The presence of familiar faces Palmer and Delap at Chelsea is also believed to have factored into Rogers’ decision.

As the new season approaches, the trio’s reunion at Chelsea offers a potential for continuity and growth, recalling their shared success with Manchester City’s youth setup even as they embark on the next phase of their professional careers in the Premier League.