LONDON — Morgan Rogers promised there is more to come after he marked his Chelsea Premier League debut with a goal in the 3-2 win over Fulham.
The club’s £117million buy from Aston Villa got the Blues’ second goal at Craven Cottage to restore their lead late in the first half, and contributed to a scintillating attacking display alongside Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.
It handed new manager Xabi Alonso victory in his first game in charge and hinted at what is to come from the team under his stewardship.
Rogers managed 82 minutes on his first competitive appearance since England’s wild victory over France in the World Cup third-place match five weeks ago.
“Coming to a new team, you don’t want to come in sluggish and off the pace, so I tried to keep myself in the best shape as possible and I’ve tried to get up to speed as quickly as I can,” said Rogers.
“I still think there are more gears to go, and I’ve got to try and find them as quickly as possible because the games are coming thick and fast.
“But I felt good out there and I enjoyed it.” Rogers added to PA media.
Chelsea’s attacking trio were irresistible at times in the west London derby, the combinations between Rogers, Palmer and Joao Pedro seemingly defying the fact this was their first time playing together.
Joao Pedro’s goal after 31 seconds gave them the perfect start and though an error from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez allowed Josh King to equalise, Rogers’ goal restored the lead before the excellent Palmer made it three.
Of more concern for Alonso however will be the encouragement Chelsea gave to Fulham in allowing them back. This was a questionable defensive display, encapsulated by handing the hosts an avoidable goal via debutant Gonzalo Garcia from another Sanchez blunder.
“It was a great game to play in,” said Rogers. “I thought the quality of our play was excellent and it was so enjoyable out there.
“Fulham is a difficult place to come to, and they played really well, but we had that fight, that grit and I think we were the better team.”
The game brought fresh scrutiny of Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation, with Sanchez again illustrating his proneness to errors at key moments.
Speaking on Sky Sports, pundit Jamie Carragher was highly critical of the Spaniard.
“Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal,” he said. “Impossible. It can’t happen.”
