Chelsea have hardly enjoyed a successful season, but they have found a silver lining in the form of Xabi Alonso, who will replace interim boss Calum McFarlane at the end of the season.

The Blues need to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, maximising their chances of finishing as high as seventh in the Premier League, thus securing Europa League instead of Conference League football.

Of course, Chelsea could end up without a ticket onto any carriage of the continental train, and they cannot let that happen, with key summer transfer targets sure to turn their nose at a campaign kept on the domestic front.

Chelsea learn conditions for Premier League attacker

Chelsea's superstars have felt the effects of a startling drop-off, with Cole Palmer omitted from the England squad after an indifferent year in the Premier League.

Palmer will bounce back, but Chelsea recognise the need for more support in attacking areas, having started work on a Premier League star who rivals Palmer for club and country.

According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, Chelsea have joined the race for Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, who is hoping to leave Villa Park this summer after his side's Europa League triumph.

Rogers is one of the best in the business, comfortably across the frontline, with Villa seemingly willing to cash in for a fee of around £80m.

He's also being tracked by the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, so Chelsea will need to ensure they secure a route into Europe on Sunday.

Why Rogers could be a Palmer upgrade at Chelsea

Rogers is riding the crest of a wave all right, and he may well consider the recent happenings at Aston Villa as the perfect way to sign off and move on.

Chelsea would only be too happy to oblige.

Rogers has scored 28 goals and provided 28 assists across all competitions since the start of last season, hailed as a "humble superstar" by pundit Jamie Redknapp.

Also described as "one of the world's best" by Redknapp, Rogers has undoubtedly hit higher beats than Palmer in the Premier League this season, and given the way in which he has gone from strength to strength across two-and-a-half years in the Second City, he might even continue to outstrip his compatriot over the next few years.

Though out-and-out playmaking isn't quite in Rogers' wheelhouse, he has still outshone Palmer this season, creating chances and utilising his pace and athleticism to make things happen across the attacking third. He drives forward and into space with such aplomb.

Should Chelsea sign Rogers, there would be a tacit acceptance that Palmer's long-term future may not be at Stamford Bridge. He would surely be handed the 2026/27 campaign to prove himself once again, but Rogers has every chance of taking his place as Chelsea's new talismanic attacking force.

Would he cost a pretty penny? Absolutely, but he would be worth the outlay, bringing presence to the left wing and the centre of the park, combining with Chelsea's new striker, whoever that may be, with ease - just look at how his partnership with Ollie Watkins has developed.

Rogers might not have the same range of passing as Palmer, but he would act as a sort of foil. Maybe the countrymen could work together in Alonso's Chelsea team. There's no question that they are among the most talented Englishmen in the business right now.