Rogers ran the show in a 5–1 rout
Chelsea 5–1 Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, and Morgan Rogers scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season (1). Xabi Alonso was not surprised.
"No, because he is young, he's fresh, he's strong and he's quick, he is a very complete modern football player," Alonso said (1). On availability he added: "His availability is also very high and this is very important. He looks fresh and he is enjoying his football because he's a great guy and is connecting very well with his team-mates, and with everyone." (1)
Henderson owned the midfield
Jordan Henderson scored two and set up another in the 5–1 win, and the English media could not stop talking about him (7). One outlet went with the line "Enzo Fernandez who?" (7). Alan Shearer loved it too, hailing Moises Caicedo as "nasty" for the way his work let Henderson run the game (5).
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Acheampong is not going anywhere quietly
Josh Acheampong backed up Alonso's faith in him against Bournemouth and looks set for an extended run in the side (4). PSG are watching the 20-year-old centre-back, and Chelsea have opened urgent long-term extension talks in response (6).
Palmer is tied down to 2034
Cole Palmer has signed a new Chelsea contract running to 2034 (2) (3). The 24-year-old was already contracted to 2033; the new deal comes with improved terms (2).
Gittens missed the Bournemouth game
Jamie Gittens sat out the 5–1 win with an ankle injury picked up on England U21 duty (1). His lack of Premier League minutes makes a 2027 exit likely, with Roma interested (1).
Lulli and Williams-Barnett on the radar
Chelsea are monitoring Emanuele Lulli, the 19-year-old Roma defender entering the final year of his contract and potentially available on a free next summer (8). Less encouraging: Roberto De Zerbi has called Tottenham's Luca Williams-Barnett a "special player" and said managing very young players is "very complicated", which points to Spurs keeping him (9).
Everton away is up next
Your team sits 6th on 10 points after six games. Next up: Everton away on Saturday, October 17 at 13:30 CEST. Tottenham at home follows on Saturday, October 24 at 18:30 CEST.
Fan reactions
The mood is good after the Bournemouth win. Fans are enjoying Alonso's insistence that the fast starts have nothing to do with him, and Henderson's 7.4 miles covered has become a talking point. Joao Pedro's goals and Palmer's new contract are also doing the rounds. The Alonso and Rogers thread
