Where will Rogers fit in at Stamford Bridge?

[Getty Images] Morgan Rogers' friendship with his new club-mate Cole Palmer goes back a long way - and actually inspired the latter's famous 'cold' goal celebration. Palmer first performed it in December 2023, after scoring two goals in a 3-2 win at Luton , and he has since taken ownership of the celebration, registering a trademark for it with the UK Intellectual Property Office. However, it was first meant as a tribute to Rogers, as he had performed the celebration after scoring a goal for Middlesbrough against West Brom . It was after moving from his local club West Brom to Manchester City that Rogers first struck up a friendship with Palmer. Both were 16 years old and soon starred in attack for City's FA Youth Cup-winning under-18 side in 2020. Palmer is not the only familiar face Rogers will encounter at Stamford Bridge though. He already knows Levi Colwill and Reece James through the England set-up, while Tosin Adarabioyo, Jamie Gittens, Romeo Lavia and Liam Delap all came through City's academy system. There is, however, the more important issue of football and where Rogers fits into the team, especially given Palmer is a similar type of player. Rogers was among the players selected by England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of Palmer for this summer's World Cup, but their versatility means they can either play together or in each other's position. One source suggests Rogers will primarily play on the left, with Palmer operating centrally as a number 10. That would leave Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto and new signing Geovany Quenda competing for places on the right - and Jamie Gittens as his understudy. Chelsea are likely to use a back four at times next season, but they are also exploring a back-three system, which Xabi Alonso used to devastating effect when winning the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024. That could allow Palmer and Rogers to play together as dual number 10s, while wingers would be asked to operate in deeper wing-back roles. Read the full article here