Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers Spark Goal Rivalry at Chelsea, Says Carlton Cole
Carlton Cole has shared his thoughts with GOAL about the inevitable scoring rivalry developing between Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers at Chelsea. The two former Manchester City teammates have reunited at Stamford Bridge and are already pushing each other to outscore in the 2026-27 season.
Palmer vs Rogers: Goals and Assists So Far in 2026-27
- Matches played: 7 (all competitions)
- Cole Palmer: 4 goals, 2 assists
- Morgan Rogers: 3 goals, 4 assists
- Overall contributions lead: Rogers slightly ahead
Rogers, still involved with England's squad, has had his best scoring season capped at 14 goals during spells at Aston Villa. Palmer aims to recapture the form that earned him 25 goal contributions in his debut West London campaign, which also brought him the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Playmaking Duo Expected to Propel Chelsea Forward
Chelsea relies on both players wearing the No.10 role—especially Palmer—to deliver goals and creativity amid a defence struggling to stay solid. With striker Joao Pedro leading the attack, consistent scoring from Palmer and Rogers could help the Blues secure points regularly and advance in domestic cup contests.
This pair is seen as one of the strongest playmaking duos worldwide, rivaling talents such as Michael Olise, Luis Diaz, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who play for Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
Cole Highlights Friendly Banter Fueling Their Performance
“Their forward line is formidable. It’s probably one of the best in the Premier League if you look at it man-to-man on paper,” said ex-Chelsea striker Carlton Cole. “You see the camaraderie and banter between Morgan and Cole Palmer—they grew up playing together and understand each other’s game.”
Cole described how their off-field friendship spills onto the pitch, creating a competitive atmosphere where both try to score and assist more than the other. He recalled a recent moment from a cup match against Leeds where they joked about the man-of-the-match award after Rogers set up four goals and Palmer scored twice.
“That kind of banter is great in the dressing room and shows the players' character and happiness,” Cole added. “But their goal-scoring can’t fix Chelsea’s defensive issues alone. If the defence keeps leaking goals, even their best efforts might not be enough.”
The former striker emphasized that while Palmer and Rogers have the responsibility to score, the team must balance defence and attack to improve results and maintain morale.
Chelsea’s Current Form and Upcoming Fixtures
- Last 3 Premier League matches: No wins
- Points gained: 1
- Goals conceded: 7
- Next match: October 10 vs AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge
Manager Xabi Alonso will likely continue encouraging the creative rivalry between Palmer and Rogers to get the best from them in upcoming fixtures.
