Cole Palmer excited to reunite with friend Morgan Rogers at Chelsea

Chelsea star Cole Palmer is eagerly anticipating sharing the pitch with his close friend Morgan Rogers, who recently completed a move to Stamford Bridge from Aston Villa. Palmer revealed he actively persuaded Rogers to join the Blues, believing their established chemistry from their time together in Manchester City's academy and England's youth teams can flourish at Chelsea.

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Everyone knows how good he is, and obviously he’s one of my best friends, so I’m very happy about him coming here. We always speak and when I heard Chelsea were trying to sign him, I was texting him even more persuading him to come. He was probably sick of me by that point! I’m glad he’s here now and I’m looking forward to sharing the pitch with him.

"Everyone knows how good he is, and obviously he’s one of my best friends, so I’m very happy about him coming here," Palmer told the club's official website during Chelsea's pre-season tour in Australia. "We always speak and when I heard Chelsea were trying to sign him, I was texting him even more persuading him to come. He was probably sick of me by that point! I’m glad he’s here now and I’m looking forward to sharing the pitch with him."

Palmer disclosed that Rogers informed him about the impending transfer before the official announcement, though they agreed to keep it a secret. "He told me straightaway that he was coming, but we kept it to ourselves. It was a difficult secret to keep before it was announced!" he added.

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He told me straightaway that he was coming, but we kept it to ourselves. It was a difficult secret to keep before it was announced!

The 24-year-old England international highlighted how their contrasting playing styles could benefit Chelsea. "I think we’re different players who can both offer a lot to the team. He’s more physical than me, on and off the ball, and he likes to drive forward more, whereas I think I like to play more passes. I think we can play well together, and we obviously did that when we were young anyway."

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I think we’re different players who can both offer a lot to the team. He’s more physical than me, on and off the ball, and he likes to drive forward more, whereas I think I like to play more passes. I think we can play well together, and we obviously did that when we were young anyway.

Palmer also joked about Rogers potentially adopting his signature "ice cold" celebration. "I’ve trademarked it so if he tries to do anything, he’ll have bailiffs at his door," Palmer quipped, before adding, "No, we’ll do it together." He also spoke positively about working under new head coach Xabi Alonso, who has outlined plans to utilize him as a No. 10, playing in the pockets. Palmer feels refreshed after his longest off-season and is optimistic about Chelsea's prospects for the upcoming campaign.

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I spoke to Xabi before he arrived. He messaged me when I didn’t make the World Cup squad. It was nice to hear from him. Working under him so far has been really good. Him and his staff have been great, and we’re looking forward to working with him. He says he sees me as a No. 10, playing in the pockets.