Cole Palmer says he told Morgan Rogers he would “make a big difference” at Chelsea after the England international completed a £117m move from Aston Villa earlier this summer.
The transfer made Rogers the most expensive British player in football history, and he has made an immediate impression at Stamford Bridge. He scored on his Premier League debut for the club against Fulham, helping Chelsea to a 3-2 victory alongside goals from Joao Pedro and Palmer.
Rogers also created five chances for his team-mates in the match – more than any other player on the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
Palmer said Rogers’ fast start had not come as a surprise, while highlighting the different qualities the pair can offer Chelsea ahead of their meeting with Brighton.
“I think we’re two different players,” Palmer said when asked about Rogers.
“He’s more physical, more powerful and stuff, and I’m more technical and whatnot.
“I just told him [when he joined] that he’ll make a big difference. We’re signing other players as well, so we’re going to have a good team and we can do something good.”
Brighton have also begun the campaign strongly. They opened their Premier League season with a 4-0 win against Aston Villa before progressing to the league phase of the Conference League.
The Seagulls defeated Tromso 4-0 on aggregate over two legs, although manager Fabian Hurzeler has made limited changes to his starting line-up across Brighton’s three matches so far in 2026-27.
Hurzeler suggested new arrivals Promise David and Jaouen Hadjam could be involved against Chelsea as he considers resting some of his regular starters.
“I think they are two great players, two great personalities, they will definitely make our squad stronger, so yes, they can definitely be options,” said Hurzeler.
“Promise likes to be called Toby. He’s very physical, he’s fast, he’s a target player, he has a different profile of a striker that we don’t have in our squad, and he knows where the goal is.
“Regarding both, we need to give them time, but we have a big belief that they make our squad stronger.”
Players to watch
Chelsea – Cole Palmer
Palmer has recorded more Premier League goal involvements against only Wolves, with eight – five goals and three assists – than against Brighton, against whom he has five.
On the opening matchday of this season, Palmer was joint-first for goal involvements with two. He ranked second for successful take-ons, completing five, and joint-second for touches in the opposition penalty area, with nine.
Brighton – Pascal Gross
Only Rogers created more chances on the opening weekend than Pascal Gross, who produced four.
Since returning to the Premier League in 2026, Gross is third for chances created, with 43. He is joint-fourth for chances created from open play, with 31, and seventh for expected assists, with 4.1.
Chelsea favourites despite recent record
The Opta supercomputer makes Chelsea favourites to win, although recent results between the sides have favoured Brighton.
Chelsea were unbeaten in their first 10 Premier League matches against Brighton, winning six and drawing four. However, they have lost five of their past eight meetings with the Seagulls, winning the other three.
Brighton have won their last three Premier League games against Chelsea and scored exactly three goals in each victory. The last side to score at least three goals in four successive league matches against Chelsea were West Ham between 1972 and 1974.
Chelsea’s record in opening home league games is also modest. They have won just once in the past seven campaigns, drawing four and losing two. That victory came against Crystal Palace, a 3-0 win in 2021-22.
Brighton, meanwhile, have won eight of their past 13 Premier League matches, collecting 25 points during that run while drawing one and losing four. In the previous 13 games, they had managed only one victory, alongside six draws and six defeats.
Since the start of Brighton’s current run on 21 February, only Arsenal, with 30 points, Manchester City, with 28, and Manchester United, with 26, have taken more points in the Premier League.
Opta win probability
– Chelsea – 52.7%
– Draw – 22.5%
– Brighton – 24.8%
