Why Chelsea's 'JPMorgan' front three have a huge advantage over title rivals after flying start at Fulham - and the clue that Mike Penders is creeping closer to starting place after Robert Sanchez howlers, writes KIERAN GILL

As Cole Palmer sat down with us at Chelsea's training base in Sydney, Australia, there was a whiteboard to his right-hand side with the WiFi password written on it: ‘F00tB4ll15C0mingH0m3!’

Palmer never made it to the World Cup with England, and football failed to come home under Thomas Tuchel, and so we discussed how he had spent his restful summer instead.

Palmer: ‘I had like seven weeks off. Which I've never really had. I feel fresh.’ Did you know what to do with yourself with all that time? Palmer: ‘Nah. It was strange. I didn’t know where to go. I got bored after like six weeks. I was sat in Marbella thinking, “I want to go back”.’ Did watching the World Cup give you greater hunger for next season? Palmer: ‘Naturally. It’s like anything. If someone told you that you're essentially not good enough to get in the squad, then you’re going to think alright, whatever, then try to go that extra harder.’

That he did at Craven Cottage. He twisted and turned Antonee Robinson until Fulham’s left back resembled a pretzel at times. Palmer brought the mustard even when Alvaro Arbeloa had Cesar Palacios or Alex Iwobi dropping deep to help out Robinson.

It appeared futile, because Palmer played like a man who had missed football, as if he could not wait to be back on that field. Recharged. Rebooted. Ready. He was not alone in that regard. Chelsea’s XI which opened the season with a 3-2 victory at Craven Cottage carried a collective total of 1,046 World Cup minutes in their legs.

By comparison, Manchester City’s XI had 3,351 minutes. Liverpool: 2,279. Arsenal: 2,191. Manchester United: 1,687. They are Chelsea’s primary rivals for finishing in the Champions League places – or higher.

Cole Palmer looks fit and firing after being snubbed by England head coach Thomas Tuchel for his World Cup squad over the summer

Palmer scored one and set up another to get Chelsea's Premier League campaign off to a flier at Fulham on Monday night

It's no wonder Chelsea's front three looked so fresh - Joao Pedro (left) and Palmer were not picked for the World Cup, while Morgan Rogers (right) started only three games for England

Chelsea's total will rise when Ecuador's Moises Caicedo returns from his minor setback, and depending if he stays, it would likewise be increased by Enzo Fernandez, the Argentina midfielder who was sent off in the World Cup final and was booed by Fulham fans as they chanted ‘England, England’ at Craven Cottage.

However, this could yet act as a weapon for Xabi Alonso this season alongside their lack of European football. Chelsea are fresher, focused, and have players with personal points to prove.

Palmer and his £117million best friend Morgan Rogers kickstarted their partnership against Fulham, while Joao Pedro, another excluded from the World Cup by Brazil, scored within 31 seconds. He is on nine goals from nine games under Alonso including their pre-season friendlies.

This attacking trident has already been blessed with a new nickname – 'J P Morgan' – and with a goal apiece, their account is up and running.

Sanchez out, Penders in?

A team is only as serious as the man they have in goal, and while Robert Sanchez is a fine goalkeeper, it remains debatable whether he can take Chelsea to the next level.

Both of Fulham’s goals were avoidable. Josh King scored from the edge of the area, but he had been encouraged to shoot from distance earlier on when Sanchez made an unconvincing save.

According to the Expected Goals (xG) statistic, a goalkeeper would be expected to save King’s equaliser 97 per cent of the time. Sanchez also parried a shot towards the head of Gonzalo Garcia for Fulham’s second goal.

In 2020, Kepa Arrizabalaga put in a poor performance at home to Liverpool, with Chelsea boss Frank Lampard describing the second goal in that 2-0 loss as a ‘clear mistake’. The club reacted by signing Edouard Mendy before that window's end.

A team is only as serious as the man they have in goal, and while Robert Sanchez is a fine goalkeeper, it remains debatable whether he can take Chelsea to the next level

Chelsea see enormous potential in Mike Penders, who spent last season on loan with Strasbourg, and he is expected to start the Carabao Cup tie against Luton on Thursday

Chelsea sources have spent all of this summer maintaining that they are happy with their goalkeeping setup. Entering this season, that was with Sanchez as No1 and Mike Penders as No2, and it was taken into consideration that any new arrival could block Penders’ pathway.

Chelsea see enormous potential in the 21-year-old Belgian, who spent last season on loan with Strasbourg, though he may not have to wait too long to get his chance to impress.

Unless Alonso decides he needs to give Sanchez the chance to boost his confidence after his mistakes made at Fulham, Penders is expected to start in their Carabao Cup clash this Thursday against League One Luton Town, who are managed by former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

Alonso said at his first press conference of the season, when asked about his goalkeepers, that ‘the pitch is the boss of everything’. Alonso embraced Sanchez at full time after their win over Fulham, but from the outside, it is already looking like advantage Penders.