Palmer and Rogers thriving
Morgan Rogers was taken aback upon learning that Cole Palmer had earned man of the match honours in Chelsea's victory against Leeds. "I got four assists," Rogers protested with a laugh. "I'll say you should have had it," Palmer responded with a grin. "Don't mention me. I'm just a bystander," Rogers added.
The lighthearted exchange, captured by Sky Sports cameras ahead of their post-match interview, revealed the rapport between the two attackers. That same chemistry translates onto the pitch with striking clarity. When asked whether it feels as though they have been playing alongside each other for years, Rogers was emphatic: "We pretty much have."
Childhood friends and former teammates in England's youth setup and Manchester City's academy, Rogers and Palmer have seamlessly resumed their partnership at Stamford Bridge, combining to produce 11 goals and assists across five matches. Their impact was particularly evident during Chelsea's dramatic comeback against Leeds on 9 September 2026, when Rogers created four of Chelsea's six goals and Palmer scored a penalty in the 6-3 second-half turnaround.
Their half-time introductions proved decisive in that Leeds encounter. After Rogers executed an audacious flick using his backside to set up Palmer's equaliser, the pair combined again in the buildup to Chelsea's third and sixth goals. These moments have become characteristic of their partnership.
The statistics underscore their connection. Across Chelsea's opening five fixtures, Rogers has directed nearly twice as many passes to Palmer—19 in total—than to any other teammate, while only defender Josh Acheampong has received more passes from Palmer, receiving 15. Despite this volume of connection, they have managed just one direct goal contribution together, though the underlying numbers suggest that total could be substantially higher.
During the 4-3 encounter with Brighton, they alternated creating shooting opportunities for one another, only to see both efforts blocked at the last moment. In their opening match against Fulham, Rogers fashioned three clear-cut chances for Palmer, but the finishing did not materialise on those occasions.
Collectively, they have manufactured nine chances for each other—more than double the tally of any other pairing in the Premier League. The next-closest combinations, including Palmer with Joao Pedro and Antoine Semenyo with Erling Haaland, have created just four apiece.
Interestingly, the creative burden has fallen more often on Rogers than observers anticipated. Palmer concluded last season with a difficult run of one goal in 13 games, yet he has already netted four times in five appearances this term. His improved output owes considerably to Rogers's creative contributions.
Rogers outlined their complementary approach following his arrival at the club.
We have different qualities, different ways of playing and affecting games. Ultimately, it's about scoring and creating and linking the game. We can do that in our own ways.
The distinction between their styles manifests in how they supply one another. Rogers typically threads passes into the spaces Palmer occupies between the opposition's defensive and midfield lines, exploiting the gaps that emerge in congested central areas.
Palmer demonstrates equal facility at locating Rogers in those intermediate zones. However, Rogers also presents a threat running beyond the defensive line, and Palmer has repeatedly attempted to capitalise on this by sending passes into his path as he advances forward.
The tactical framework established by Xabi Alonso facilitates their interplay. By deploying wing-backs to provide width, the system affords Rogers and Palmer considerable freedom to drift infield, keeping them in close proximity and multiplying their opportunities to combine in central positions. This approach has yielded a measurable outcome: Chelsea have channelled a higher proportion of their attacking play through the middle third than any other Premier League side.
Hull City, who visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday 12 September 2026, represent the next examination of Rogers and Palmer's partnership. Recent form suggests Hull's recent sequence of three consecutive clean sheets may face a stern test.
Scott excelling
Whilst Chelsea bolstered their attacking options through the acquisition of Rogers, their attempts to strengthen the midfield proved less fruitful. One player who slipped through their grasp during the summer window has flourished at Bournemouth under sustained development.
Alex Scott commands considerable esteem from Andoni Iraola, and Marco Rose shares that assessment entirely.
I love him,Rose declared following Bournemouth's 2-2 draw with Newcastle the previous weekend. That fixture marked the third consecutive occasion on which Bournemouth surrendered a lead late in proceedings, and Scott's performance made the outcome feel particularly unjust.
The 23-year-old, who had scored in Bournemouth's preceding match against Everton, delivered an outstanding display at St James' Park. Beyond contributing to both of Bournemouth's goals, he accumulated more touches than any teammate, completed more passes in the final third, and engaged in more duels than any other player in the side.
This performance represented a continuation of his strong campaign opening. Scott has demonstrated a compelling fusion of physical and technical attributes, working with relentless intensity and covering ground efficiently as he shuttles between both penalty areas. There is a palpable sense that he is assuming greater responsibility within the team's structure.
The trajectory bodes well for his prospects. Should he maintain this standard, the clubs who pursued him during the summer transfer window will almost certainly return with renewed interest in January. For now, Bournemouth will hope to see more of the same when they face Brentford at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Tough-tackling Khalaili
Anan Khalaili shoulders considerable responsibility at Crystal Palace, having assumed the right wing-back duties previously held by Daniel Munoz. He demonstrated his attacking credentials with the driving run that created the assist for Ben Chilwell's winning goal against Fulham the previous weekend.
Defensively, however, he has been considerably busier. Whilst Khalaili has experienced some awkward moments at the back, he clearly relishes his one-versus-one contests and has emerged victorious in the majority of those encounters.
Indeed, beyond winning the second-most duels across the division thus far, the 21-year-old, a summer acquisition from Union Saint-Gilloise, ranks first for tackles. His tally of 17 places him five clear of the next-nearest competitor—a remarkable achievement given he has started only twice.
What happens next
Chelsea's immediate fixture schedule presents consecutive home and away challenges. Following the Hull encounter on 12 September, the Blues will travel to Brentford on Friday 18 September 2026 in their next Premier League assignment, before the late-September international break provides a pause in domestic competition.
Live Radar: What's on Sky this weekend?
Four Premier League matches will receive live coverage on Sky Sports across the weekend. Tottenham versus Everton kicks off Saturday evening's action.
Sunday's schedule features Coventry hosting Brighton at 2pm, followed by the Manchester derby between Manchester United and Manchester City at 4.30pm.
Monday Night Football concludes the weekend's live programming, with Leeds entertaining Newcastle in the 8pm kick-off, with coverage commencing at 6.30pm.
