Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Arsenal was the first setback of Xabi Alonso’s tenure, but Rogers’ message remained the same as it would have been had the Blues left north London with another victory.

It is still early. There is still work to do. And there is no doubt in the forward’s mind that Chelsea will continue to improve.

‘It’s only the fourth game under him,’ said Rogers. ‘We know we’ve got work to do. Even after the three wins, we knew work was needed, so it doesn’t change. We stay fully focused and move forward.

‘We work hard on the training pitch, trying to understand each other more and how we want to play. We’ll get better. We know we will.

‘We’ll be here again, having the same conversation about improving because we always want to improve and always will get better.’

That conviction has been strengthened by the positive start Alonso has made at Cobham and the speed with which the squad have embraced his ideas.

That has been evidenced by the Blues heading into today's London derby off the back of three victories against Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.

‘It’s been really good and really positive,’ Rogers continued. ‘You see time and time again that managers come in and struggle at the start when they are adapting, but we have done really well to take the manager’s ideas on board.

‘We have used our quality and the players we have in the changing room. We have done well to win the games we have and with the way we have played.

‘Of course, there are areas to improve because it is really early days. But seeing the positive signs so early and being encouraged constantly, every day on the training pitch and in games, there is only one way we are going – and that is forward.

‘That is all you can ask as a player when there has been a change in the building and you are trying to achieve something.’

That longer-term optimism did not lessen the immediate frustration felt by Rogers and his team-mates at the final whistle in north London.

It was Rogers who had put Chelsea in front inside the opening two minutes with his arrowed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

But Kai Havertz pulled a goal back midway thorough the first half and Martin Odegaard's finish early into the second period proved to be enough, despite the Blues going in search of an equaliser, with Estevao Willian in particular bringing the best out of David Raya.

‘We are disappointed,’ he acknowledged. ‘We came here with a job to try to win, and we didn’t manage that, so of course the players and the boys are disappointed. But it’s a long season and it’s a tough place to come.

‘I think we gave a good account of ourselves. We played well in large parts of the game, created chances and defended well when we had to. Of course, it’s tough, and they’re in a really good moment right now and feeling really good.

‘There is still stuff for us to work on. We’re still new, with a new manager, trying to combine our ideas and get better and better. But we will. We know we will.

‘We know we’ve got the quality in the room. It’s just about working hard on the training field and putting things right.’