Old friends Palmer and Rogers have made an excellent start to the season since being reunited at Stamford Bridge over the summer, when the latter completed a move to Chelsea from Aston Villa.

So far they have contributed 11 goal involvements between them in these early stages of the campaign and Alonso’s tenure in the Blues dugout, with five of those coming in one game alone, when we defeated Leeds United 6-3 in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

As we prepare to return to Premier League action by hosting Hull at the Bridge on Saturday, Alonso explained why he thinks they have linked up together so well so quickly on the pitch.

‘Both are enjoying themselves, playing in the team and with each other,’ said our manager. ‘They enjoy when one makes good things for the team.

‘We were expecting that and we’re so happy that it’s happening. It’s early days but we have a good partnership there, and with Joao [Pedro] linking with them it’s a strength that we have.’

That front three of Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro has certainly caught the eye in 2026/27, but face a stern challenge in our next match, when we take on a Hull team which is yet to concede a goal since their return to the Premier League.

The newly-promoted side remain unbeaten and have shot up into third spot in the table - one place above the Blues - fast becoming this season’s surprise package in the top flight.

That was something Alonso was quick to point out, when asked if it is becoming ‘impossible’ for opponents to keep out Chelsea’s front three.

‘Let’s not talk about those big words – and impossible in football is too big a word,’ he countered.

‘We face tomorrow’s game with the same respect as against Arsenal. Hull have seven points, no goals conceded, they will be hard to beat. They have their weapons with transitions and set -pieces, and they have the belief.

‘Their coach is doing a great job, so it’s going to be hard and we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them tomorrow.

‘They deserve to be where they are. They have played against Manchester United, Coventry and against Aston Villa, and they have done it really well.

‘They have shown they have built a very clear idea of what they want, how they want to compete, and with players already there last season and other players who have come in new.

‘They want to fight with everything to get their goal, which I guess is to stay in the Premier League, and they are doing well. Tomorrow is a chance for us to be the first to beat them in the Premier League.’

All of that means Chelsea won’t be taking Saturday’s challenge lightly, no matter how potent our attack has been in recent weeks.

‘Tomorrow we are prepared and ready, there will not be complacency from us, we have full respect for them and we know it will be hard to beat them.

‘But if we do things well, compete and play at our level, I feel we will have a good chance.’