Chelsea Player Ratings vs. Fulham: Blues Attacking Trio Power Alonso’s Winning Debut

Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea tenure got off to a dream start with the Blues defeating bitter-rivals Fulham 3–2 away in their 2026–27 Premier League opener.

It took João Pedro just 31 seconds to score the first goal of the Xabi Alonso era with a clever chip to put the visitors ahead. Chelsea had chances to double their lead soon after, but it was Fulham who struck next via a Josh King near-post strike Robert Sánchez made a mess off.

When it seemed like the game would go level to the break, Chelsea’s summer recruits showed their worth as Maxence Lacroix teed-up Morgan Rogers for the England international to score his first goal in blue.

Cole Palmer added Chelsea’s third soon after the restart to complete a brilliant individual performance. Fulham pulled one back through Gonzalo García midway through the second half, but Chelsea comfortably saw out the rest of the game to secure a strong result.

There’s still major room for improvement, which Alonso will surely want to address, especially defensively. But Chelsea’s attack has the makings of a formidable force, and it was an overly positive Premier League curtain-raiser for the Blues.

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The Problem That Won’t Go Away

Alonso brushed off any potential move for a new goalkeeper recently by revealing he was “very happy” with his current options, particularly starter Robert Sánchez, highlighting his “experience” both at the club and the Premier League in general.

While it’s true that the Spaniard boasts a wealth of experience, it’s also true that his Chelsea career has been defined by costly mistakes. It’s common knowledge that Sánchez’s next major blunder between the posts is only a matter of time. In the Blues’s season debut, it took 23 minutes.

Sánchez’s positioning was dreadful in the action of King’s equalizer, leaving the near-post enticingly open for the teenager to try his luck. But even if the shot had enough power, Sánchez still should’ve been able to react and clear it away. His attempt to attack the ball was worse than his positioning, and it trickled into the back of the net.

When Chelsea were enjoying themselves, another Sánchez blunder occurred. He left his clearance on a platter for García to head home, allowing Fulham to get back in the game.

Acquiring a world-class goalkeeper has been viewed as a major need for Chelsea in recent transfer windows, but the club has been hesitant to spend big on a proven shot-stopper, seemingly comfortable with Sánchez despite his erratic nature.

All signs point toward the Spaniard being Chelsea’s starter for a third-straight season, even when it’s become abundantly clear he can cost the Blues points. There’s a ceiling to Chelsea’s potential so long as Sánchez remains their best option in goal.

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Chelsea Player Ratings vs. Fulham (3-4-2-1)

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

GK: Robert Sánchez—5.7: New season, same blunders from the Spaniard. The first goal conceded of the Xabi Alonso era was an inexcusable Sánchez mistake, and he was equally at fault for the second.

CB: Josh Acheampong—7.3: Was often bested whenever he had to defend in open space. A nervy showing from the youngster.

CB: Maxence Lacroix—8.0: Had a number of timely defensive interventions in urgency and also showed his quality as a winger when he beat his man and assisted Rogers’s goal. A strong Chelsea debut from the Frenchman.

CB: Levi Colwill—6.7: Looked shaky throughout since an early mistake earned him a yellow card that flirted with red. Got exposed badly in the action of Fulham’s second.

RWB: Malo Gusto—6.7: Covered ground as usual down the right flank, but his deliveries from the wing were poor, and he struggled defensively.

CM: Reece James—7.0: A quiet showing from Chelsea’s captain, who operated in a double-pivot. Like Lavia next to him, he struggled to help his side maintain sustained periods of possession.

CM: Romeo Lavia—7.3: Failed to provide much balance in midfield and Chelsea looked susceptible to quick transitions. A clumsy challenge got him booked early.

LWB: Jorrel Hato—7.1: Better going forward than defending, with a couple of darting runs with the ball from midfield all the way to the penalty area standing out.

AM: Cole Palmer—9.1: Involved early and often, assisting Pedro’s opener, masterminding Chelsea’s second and overall looking menacing with clever runs and daft touches while his pressing was also superb. He added the explanation point to his majestic season debut with a delighful finish for Chelsea’s third.

AM: Morgan Rogers—8.7: His pressing was sensational and you can tell he’s already gelling with Palmer and Pedro next to him. A constant threat, and he was rewarded with a goal in his official debut.

ST: João Pedro—8.5: Lovely first touch and an even better finish to score his first of the campaign just 30 seconds into the season.

SUB: Pep Chavarría (65’ for Hato)—6.0: Unceremonious debut for the summer signing.

SUB: Enzo Fernández (65’ for Lavia)—6.4: Greeted by a serenade of boos, the Argentine helped Chelsea monopolize possession late.

SUB: Pedro Neto (76’ for Gusto)—6.9: Barely got a sniff of the ball during his cameo.

SUB: Estêvão (83’ for Palmer)—N/A

SUB: Geovanny Quenda (83’ for Rogers)—N/A

Subs not used: Mike Penders (GK), Valentín Barco, Jamie Gittens, Danny Wellbeck

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What These Ratings Tell Us

• It was vintage Cole Palmer at Craven Cottage on Monday night. After an underwhelming, injury-ridden season that cost him a spot in England’s World Cup roster, Palmer looked fit, full of energy and back to his electrifying best. His return to form is by far the biggest positive of Chelsea.
• Jus as impressive was Morgan Rogers’s opening act as a Chelsea player. The England international instantly flashed exactly why the Blues made him the most expensive transfer in club history. He finished the game with the most chances created of any player on the pitch, a goal and a taste of the formidable society he can form with close friend Palmer and João Pedro, who was equally brilliant.
• Much of Chelsea’s defensive issues from a season ago were credited to the absence of Levi Colwill, who missed almost the entire season with an ACL injury. Back to full fitness, the Cobham graduate struggled massively on Monday, looking out of confidence, erratic and failing to inspire any security at the back. If Alonso is going to stick with a three-center back set-up, Colwill is going to need to find his form quickly.

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The Numbers That Explain Chelsea’s Victorious Start of Alonso Era

• João Pedro opened the scoring for Chelsea 31 seconds into the game, the fastest goal scored in Matchweek 1 history of the Premier League.
• Chelsea were clinical when it mattered, converting three of the four big chances they created despite registering the same number of shots on goal as Fulham.
• Despite losing the possession battle, Alonso’s side had 38 touches in the opposition box, 14 more than what the hosts mustered.
• Xabi Alonso is the first Chelsea manager to lead the Blues to a Premier League opening day victory since Thomas Tuchel in 2022–23.

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