Welcome to The Radar, the Sky Sports column where Nick Wright mixes hard data with insightful opinion to highlight the Premier League stories you need to know. This week’s focus includes: - The dynamic partnership of Palmer and Rogers - Scott’s standout performances for Bournemouth - A look at Crystal Palace’s aggressive wing‑back Morgan Rogers was visibly surprised when he learned that Cole Palmer had been named man of the match after Chelsea’s victory over Leeds United.
"I recorded four assists," Rogers protested. "I think you deserved it," Palmer replied with a grin.
"Don’t mention me – I’m just a spectator," Rogers added, laughing. The banter, captured by Sky Sports cameras before the post‑match interview, highlighted the easy chemistry between the two.
That rapport is evident on the pitch as well. Do they feel like long‑time teammates?
"We pretty much have," Rogers answered. Both players grew up together in the England and Manchester City youth setups, and they have seamlessly continued that partnership at Chelsea. In just five league games they have combined for 11 goals and assists, a contribution that has only been muted by Arsenal so far. Their half‑time pep talk sparked Chelsea’s comeback on Wednesday.
After Rogers cleverly flicked the ball off his backside to set up Palmer’s equaliser, the duo were again involved in the build‑up to Chelsea’s third and sixth goals. Those inter‑plays have become a recurring theme.
Across the five matches, Rogers has delivered nearly twice as many passes to Palmer as to any other teammate – 19 in total – while only defender Josh Acheampong has received more passes from Palmer, with 15. Surprisingly, they have directly combined for just one goal, but the potential for more is obvious. In the thrilling 4‑3 win over Brighton, each took turns trying to set the other up, only to be denied by last‑minute blocks. In the season opener against Fulham, Rogers crafted three clear shooting chances for Palmer, who was unable to finish.
Overall, the pair have generated nine chances for one another, more than twice the number produced by any other partnership in the league. They sit ahead of five other duos, including Palmer with João Pedro and Antoine Semenyo with Erling Haaland, who have each produced four. While many expected Palmer to be the primary provider for Rogers, the reality has been the opposite in several matches.
Palmer, who managed just one goal in 13 appearances last season, has already netted four in five games this campaign, a surge partly attributable to his new teammate’s service. Rogers explained the mutual benefit of their relationship: "We bring different qualities and styles to the game.
In the end it’s about scoring, creating and linking play, and we each do that in our own way." This distinction is evident in how they feed each other. Rogers often looks to thread passes into the space between the opposition’s defensive line and midfield, creating pockets for Palmer to exploit.
Conversely, Palmer tries to stretch the defence with runs behind, and he frequently attempts passes that anticipate Rogers’ forward runs, adding another layer of unpredictability to Chelsea’s attack. Xabi Alonso’s system further amplifies their synergy. The wing‑backs provide width, allowing Rogers and Palmer to cut inside and operate in close proximity. This central positioning has resulted in Chelsea directing a higher proportion of their attacks through the middle third of the pitch than any other Premier League side.
The next test comes on Saturday when Hull City travel to Stamford Bridge. Hull have kept three consecutive clean sheets, but the combined threat of Rogers and Palmer could jeopardise that record. Chelsea’s offensive upgrade with Rogers has been clear, yet their midfield reinforcement efforts have fallen short.
One summer departure, a player who moved to Bournemouth, continues to thrive there. Alex Scott has become a fan favourite at Bournemouth. Manager Andoni Iraola praised him highly, a sentiment echoed by Marco Rose, who said, "I love him," after their 2‑2 draw with Newcastle.
That match marked the third consecutive game in which Bournemouth surrendered a late lead, a disappointment for Scott, who was instrumental in both goals. The 23‑year‑old, who opened the scoring against Everton in the previous fixture, was the standout player at St James’ Park. He contributed to both Bournemouth goals, logged the most touches, delivered the most final‑third passes, and won more duels than any teammate.
His performances underline a strong start to the season. Scott blends physicality with technical skill, tirelessly shuttling between the penalty areas. There are signs he is assuming greater responsibility, which bodes well for his future.
If he maintains this level, the clubs that chased him in the summer window may return with offers in January. For now, Bournemouth will hope he continues to deliver when they face Brentford at the Vitality Stadium. At Crystal Palace, Anan Khalaili has big shoes to fill after replacing Daniel Munoz as the right wing‑back. He demonstrated his attacking instincts with a decisive run that set up Ben Chilwell’s winning goal against Fulham.
Defensively, Khalaili has been the busier of the two. While he has had a few awkward moments, he thrives in one‑on‑one battles, often coming out on top. In fact, he currently ranks second in the league for duels won and leads in tackles with 17, a remarkable tally given he has started only twice.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago faces Bournemouth this Saturday with the aim of finally scoring. He has accumulated an expected‑goals figure of 2.30 after three games without finding the net, the highest xG among players yet to score.
Hopefully his luck will turn soon. Sky Sports will broadcast four Premier League matches this weekend. The slate begins with Tottenham versus Everton on Saturday evening, followed on Sunday by Coventry hosting Brighton at 2 pm and the Manchester derby – Manchester United versus Manchester City – at 4.30 pm. The weekend concludes with Monday Night Football, where Leeds will host Newcastle at 8 pm, with coverage starting at 6.30 pm.
In the previous column, the focus was on Arsenal’s improving defence ahead of their clash with Morgan Rogers and Chelsea. Don’t miss the chance to win £1 million by playing Super 6 – entry is free!