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'Special' Chelsea forwards inspire Alonso's winning start

Xabi Alonso hailed Chelsea's " special" forwards after Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro combined to inspire a 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday in his first game as Blues boss.

'Special' Chelsea forwards inspire Alonso's winning start

Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso praised the special talents of forward Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham on Monday, marking his debut as Blues boss. Rogers and Palmer, in particular, were instrumental in securing the win, with Pedro opening the scoring just 31 seconds into the match.

Rogers' £117 million transfer from Aston Villa proved fruitful as he scored Chelsea's second goal, while Palmer added a third after halftime. Palmer, who struggled last season and was left out of England's World Cup squad, appeared revitalized under Rogers' guidance. Alonso emphasized the importance of giving the strikers freedom while also holding them accountable for the team's success.

He acknowledged that the squad is balanced and that while the three forwards are talented, Chelsea must maintain control, quality, and toughness. The manager reflected on the team's intense performance, citing the early goals as a confidence booster. Palmer, eager to prove his doubters wrong, expressed his enthusiasm for the new season, acknowledging the hard work he put in over the summer to regain his best form.

Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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