Morgan Rogers makes an immediate impact as Chelsea begin Premier League season with Fulham win

Morgan Rogers marked his first competitive appearance for Chelsea with a goal and a record number of chances created as Xabi Alonso’s side opened their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory away at Fulham on Monday evening.

The England international, who joined Chelsea from Aston Villa during the current summer transfer window, played a central role in a winning start for his new club.

Rogers doubled Chelsea’s advantage in the 41st minute, scoring his first official goal for the London club. Cole Palmer later added a third for the visitors before Fulham’s response made the closing stages more demanding for Alonso’s team.

Although the result was Chelsea’s main objective, Rogers’ creative contribution immediately placed him in the club’s record books.

According to Opta, he became the first Chelsea player since the 2003-04 season to create five chances on his Premier League debut for the club. The statistic covers recorded Premier League data from that campaign onwards.

“5 – Morgan Rogers has now also become the first Chelsea player to create five chances on his Premier League debut for the club on record since 2003-04.Inventive.https://t.co/GQpzBzntvC”

Rogers also led every player in the opening weekend of the Premier League for chances created, according to CBS Sports. That placed the 23-year-old at the forefront of the division’s first round of fixtures and underlined the influence he had on Chelsea’s attacking display in his first league outing.

“Morgan Rogers created more chances than any other player in the opening Premier League weekend 🥶What a debut 👏pic.twitter.com/4H31lcfP6a”

His performance offered an early indication of the attacking role he could occupy under Alonso, who began his first Premier League season as Chelsea manager with an away win. Rogers’ goal and chance creation ensured he made an immediate impression on both the result and the club’s statistical history.

Chelsea completed the deal for Rogers during the summer after his spell at Aston Villa. Several English reports have valued the transfer at 117 million euros (138 million euros), making him the second-most expensive signing in Premier League history according to the figures cited.

Only Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool ranks above it on that list. Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle last summer for a reported fee of £125m.

For Chelsea, the victory at Fulham supplied a positive opening to the new league campaign. For Rogers, it was a debut featuring a goal, five created chances and a place in the club’s Premier League records.