Rogers scores on Chelsea debut and backs Palmer to silence critics after World Cup snub

Morgan Rogers announced himself to Chelsea supporters with a debut goal and a firm prediction: Cole Palmer, stung by his World Cup snub and a season disrupted by injury, is ready to dominate the Premier League again. Palmer scored and provided an assist as Chelsea opened their campaign with a victory at Craven Cottage under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Rogers, a British-record £117 million signing, wasted little time integrating with his new club. “Everyone knows how good he is,” Rogers said of Palmer. “Obviously, had a difficult year with injuries and stuff last year, and you can see in his eyes in preseason and in training that he’s ready this year and he’s ready to prove people wrong. You saw that with that performance — best player on the pitch by a mile, and that’s what he does.”

For Rogers himself, the occasion carried its own significance. “It’s nice. You want to settle in as quickly as possible, integrate with the squad and the fans. To feel that affection in the first game and to score is a really nice moment for me,” he said.

Palmer, who has spoken openly about the hurt of missing out on England’s World Cup squad, said the summer gave him time to reset and refocus. “I’m ready, you know. It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot but through the summer and since I’ve been back I’ve worked extra hard,” he said. “I know the talent I’ve got so I can put in performances like that.”

The England midfielder also reflected on the added motivation of lining up alongside his closest friend. “When you grow up you want to play or do anything with your best friends, so playing football at the best level feels surreal,” Palmer said. “Normally I’m not an emotional person, the people who know me know I’m not usually bothered about things in life, but over the summer I rested, I recharged and yeah I’m ready and I’m hungry.”

Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa was left to reflect on a defeat he felt his side did not deserve. “We are not happy because we lost a game we wanted to win. We did a great game and deserved a little bit more but football is not about what you deserve,” he said. “We have to improve in many things but this is the way we need to play — with character and ambition.”