Henderson reveals how he convinced Palmer and Morgan Rogers to give him Chelsea free-kick duties

According to a report by GOAL on Sunday October 11, 2026, Jordan Henderson has revealed how he persuaded Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers to let him take a free kick during Chelsea’s impressive 5-1 victory over Bournemouth.

The experienced midfielder enjoyed a memorable home debut at Stamford Bridge, scoring early and assisting Rogers before producing a stunning second-half free kick.

Henderson explained that his confidence came from working closely with Chelsea’s set-piece coach, Austin MacPhee, during training sessions in the weeks leading up to the match.

Speaking after the game, Henderson revealed that his performances in training helped convince the coaching staff to trust him with the responsibility.

“Some of the lads and Austin have a little bit of confidence in me, so when I have some confidence in me, I can step up and take it,” he explained.

He added that MacPhee had been impressed with his consistency during training and made it clear that Henderson should take the free kick.

However, convincing his teammates was another matter, particularly with Palmer and Rogers also capable of delivering dangerous set pieces.

Henderson revealed that Rogers was initially unhappy about the decision but eventually agreed to let him take the kick.

Palmer, meanwhile, responded with a joke, asking Henderson which corner of the stadium they would celebrate in if he scored.

Fortunately for the former Liverpool captain, he delivered on his promise by finding the back of the net, sending the Chelsea supporters into celebration.

Beyond his individual contribution, Henderson was pleased with Chelsea’s overall performance, particularly their defensive discipline and work rate.

He praised Palmer, Rogers and João Pedro for their attacking quality but insisted their commitment to winning possession back was equally important.

The victory marked a positive moment for Henderson after an injury disrupted his preparations during the summer. He expressed delight at finally making his home debut and contributing to an emphatic result.

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