‘It’s A Lie’: Morgan Rogers Defends Chelsea Teammate Following Scrutiny

Chelsea and England midfielder Morgan Rogers has jumped to the defence of teammate Cole Palmer.

Rogers, who joined the Blues over the summer from Aston Villa in a club-record £117 million move, has hit back at critics following Palmer’s surprise omission from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

The Englishman has six goal contributions in the Premier League after 10 matches. His most recent impact came during the Blues’ 2-0 victory over Manchester United on October 31, when he scored from the penalty spot against Senne Lammens. 

Palmer should also have won a penalty in Chelsea’s most recent game before the international break, during their 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. However, VAR deemed the contact to have taken place outside the area. 

The 24-year-old hasn’t played for England since March 2026, during the Three Lions’ 1-0 defeat to Japan at Wembley. He was also absent from the previous three squads in September, October and November 2025 following a groin injury.

Off the back of a prolific 2023/24 season, scoring 22 goals for Chelsea and providing 11 assists in the Premier League, the midfielder spent the majority of the 2024 European Championships in Germany on the bench, under Gareth Southgate.

Substitute appearances late in the tournament saw the England star assist Ollie Watkins in the semi-final victory over the Netherlands and score the equalising goal in the eventual 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final.

Following England’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday evening, Rogers was questioned about Palmer’s overall commitment to the national team.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “It’s a lie. He wants to be here. He wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country, as he always has done.

“I think we all know he had a difficult season last year with injuries. Well, I know personally that he’s been managing the injuries ever since. He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100 per cent himself on the pitch. It has nothing to do with wanting to play for England or not.”

During the 2025/26 season, Chelsea’s number 10 missed 26 matches for the Blues, according to Transfermarkt, and his absence was one of the factors behind the west London side’s failure to qualify for the Champions League the following season.

Rogers, who scored the opener at Wembley, also branded claims that Palmer isn’t committed “nonsense”. He said: “I think it’s nonsense, really, that people are questioning someone who wants to play for England. You see the joy and the smile he plays with.”

It was reported by Matt Law, following Tuchel’s squad announcement, that Palmer was fully fit and that his omission was a decision made solely by the former Chelsea boss.

Meanwhile, Rogers’ goal against Croatia takes his tally for the season to eight goals and five assists for club and country, as the new Chelsea man looks to lay down an early marker as a potential Player of the Season contender.

Before joining up with the Blues alongside Palmer, the 24-year-old will take on Spain in the final match of the UEFA Nations League group phase before heading back to London, as Chelsea prepare to host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on November 20.

With England now through to the quarter-finals in March 2027, Palmer will be hoping to put his injury troubles behind him and force his way back into Tuchel's plans, with Rogers also looking to cement his position in the national team.