Morgan Rogers says Xabi Alonso has turned Chelsea into 'exciting' outfit

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alonso-xabi/hAcTWKKN/"]Alonso[/a] has overseen a remarkable flurry of goals since taking charge at Stamford Bridge in the close season, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/chelsea-4fGZN2oK/leeds-tUxUbLR2/?mid=K2DLaNQF"]Wednesday's third-round rout of Leeds was no exception.[/a][/p][p]The Spaniard watched as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] trailed to goals from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/muharemovic-tarik/O0Ss5jSf/"]Tarik Muharemovic[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/aaronson-brendan/0GqS59FE/"]Brenden Aaronson[/a] before [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/palmer-cole/h8agbDt7/"]Cole Palmer[/a] showed his predatory instincts to haul the Blues level with a brace.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/neto-pedro/lxtnUkIP/"]Pedro Neto[/a] put Chelsea ahead before [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/welbeck-danny/86PvpO11/"]Danny Welbeck[/a] made it four.[/p][image alt="Rogers stats vs Leeds" id="e9883a29-4199-42cc-8add-cb8e8b4575a1" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="cc7eed6d-0afa-47a4-a2d9-f2c032b14cff" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/calvert-lewin-dominic/0WmBe6U2/"]Dominic Calvert-Lewin[/a] got one back for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/leeds/tUxUbLR2/"]Leeds[/a], but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/barco-valentin/MXX0tUs3/"]Valentin Barco[/a] and Welbeck netted to ensure Chelsea moved into the fourth round in style.[/p][p]Chelsea have scored 16 goals in Alonso's first five matches in all competitions, winning four of them, to showcase their attacking talent.[/p][p]Palmer, Neto and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rogers-morgan/lp4jm80n/"]Rogers[/a] were all sent on at half-time against Leeds and immediately caused havoc in the visitors' defence.[/p][p]Rogers was the catalyst with three assists, and the England midfielder, signed from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aston-villa/W00wmLO0/"]Aston Villa[/a] in the close season, paid tribute to Alonso's influence.[/p][embed guid="2130b0ac-ab06-4b00-a803-c4b6efe65fbc" url="https://x.com/ChelseaFC/status/2097822609052500173" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"It's so enjoyable to play with high calibre players that are here. I'm enjoying my football, trying to be free, and showing what I'm about,"[/b] Rogers said.[/p][p][b]"Playing with a smile and playing free. Good things are happening at the moment, so it's nice. It's a really enjoyable team to play in."[/b][/p][p]Palmer, a close friend of Rogers since their time in the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] academy, has been revitalised by Alonso after a poor season last term.[/p][p][b]"I'm enjoying it. All the attacking players, it's a lot different for us. I think we still have a bit to go, but we are getting results which is the main thing,"[/b] Palmer said.[/p][p]Underlining the value of the bond between Palmer and Rogers, on and off the pitch, Alonso said: [b]"For sure, it's so important. To have a great chemistry between them.[/b][/p][p][b]"They enjoy assisting together. It's important for the team."[/b][/p][embed guid="960626cc-e1e0-4bd8-bcfe-aae6abf1cfcf" url="https://x.com/ChelseaFC/status/2097797994212884699" social-type="twitter" /][p]Former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayer-leverkusen/4jcj2zMd/"]Bayer Leverkusen[/a] boss Alonso admitted he had taken a risk by making nine changes in a competition that could bring him a trophy in his debut season at the Bridge.[/p][p][b]"Yeah, there was so many changes. There was a risk,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]"Things weren't going the way we planned, so we had to change (at half-time). I take responsibility with the first half.[/b][/p][p][b]"They knew they weren't starting and they were ready to make an impact. I'm happy with the result and the reaction."[/b][/p]