Which Jersey Numbers Could Morgan Rogers Wear If He Joins Chelsea?

Morgan Rogers grew up, by his own admission, as "a bit of a geek for football knowledge."

He spent countless afternoons with his father trading trivia questions back and forth. "I'd be able to name random players from all over the world and stuff," Rogers would later recall. "I'd try and be the smartest person in the room when it came to football."

Now, he's set to become the answer to a future quiz question himself.

Should Chelsea's surprising pursuit of the Aston Villa playmaker be completed at the reported price of $157.3 million (£117 million), Rogers would stand alone as the most expensive signing in the club's history and the priciest British player ever purchased by any club.

Whatever squad number Rogers first wears at Stamford Bridge would surely be worth a few bonus points in any football trivia contest.

Rogers's Potential Shirt Numbers at Chelsea

When he was sent out on a formative loan spell with Lincoln City in League One as a teenager, Rogers was faced with a rather uninspiring selection of available squad numbers. "I was looking at the numbers and thought none of these," he would later tell Sky Sports.

He eventually settled on No. 27 as "it was the only number that looked remotely O.K. at the time." His fondness for it came from the presence of the "7," which Rogers had always sought out after growing up idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I wasn't necessarily sold on it but because then I had a good loan, it kinda stuck with me," he explained. "It's always the number I'd pick if I go to a club."

Unfortunately for Rogers, Chelsea's No. 27 is already occupied by Malo Gusto.

The versatile attacker could claim No. 17, recently freed up by Manchester United-bound Andrey Santos, or even No. 37 if he prefers, though No. 7 is also spoken for by Pedro Neto.

Available Jersey Numbers at Chelsea

Jersey Numbers That Could Become Available

There have been vague murmurs of a potential departure for Gusto, which would undoubtedly work in Rogers's favor in his quest for that coveted No. 27. However, Chelsea's reported asking price of $100.8 million (£75 million) for a backup right back is likely to deter any interested clubs.

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Enzo Fernández would command an even steeper fee. While Real Madrid no longer seem to be pursuing the World Cup finalist, another elite club could potentially acquire Chelsea's No. 8.

Nicolas Jackson could also be heading for the exit, potentially freeing up No. 15, a number Rogers has previously worn while on England international duty.