Cole Palmer has backed Morgan Rogers to make a “big difference” at Chelsea after the pair made an immediate impact together under Xabi Alonso.
Rogers joined Chelsea from Aston Villa this summer and already looks comfortable alongside his former Manchester City academy team-mate.
Both scored during Chelsea’s 3-2 Premier League win at Fulham, while Palmer also created João Pedro’s opening goal after only 31 seconds.
Speaking in a new interview with Chelsea’s official website, Palmer explained that their contrasting qualities could make the partnership particularly effective.
2 – Cole Palmer tonight vs Fulham:
1 goal
1 assist
5 dribbles completed
5 shots
3 chances created
7 ball recoveries
10 duels won
He was only the second player on record since 2006-07 to record all of these numbers in a Premier League game.
Cold. pic.twitter.com/uW4YPeHNnD
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2026
Cole Palmer backs Morgan Rogers impact
Palmer believes he and Rogers offer Chelsea very different attacking qualities.
The 24-year-old described Rogers as the more physical and powerful of the pair, while viewing his own game as more technical.
Palmer also revealed what he told Rogers after the £117million summer signing arrived at Stamford Bridge.
“He’ll make a big difference.”
That belief has already been supported by their first competitive appearance together.
Rogers scored on his Premier League debut at Fulham, while Palmer finished the match with a goal and an assist.
ReadChelsea previously looked at how Palmer, Rogers and João Pedro could become Xabi Alonso’s most dangerous attacking weapon.
Their ability to interchange positions was immediately apparent, allowing Chelsea to attack without relying entirely on Palmer for creativity.
Xabi Alonso gives Palmer freedom at Chelsea
Palmer also revealed the simple instruction Alonso has given him this season.
“He just said to be free.”
The Chelsea playmaker explained that Alonso wants him moving around the pitch to find positions where he can hurt opponents.
It fits with what Alonso had already said about giving his attacking players freedom within a defined tactical structure.
ReadChelsea covered the manager’s plan for Palmer and Rogers before the Fulham victory, and the opening weeks suggest both players have embraced it.
Rogers has also previously revealed that Alonso’s style was an important factor behind his Chelsea move and that he had wanted to play alongside Palmer again for years.
Palmer ready to rediscover his best Chelsea form
There is another encouraging element for Alonso.
Palmer says he is no longer carrying the mental uncertainty created by last season’s injury problems.
Those fitness issues sometimes left him questioning what he could physically do on the pitch, but he now believes he has moved beyond those concerns.
Chelsea face Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, giving Palmer and Rogers another opportunity to demonstrate why their partnership could become central to Alonso’s new attack.
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