Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers Locked in Friendly Goal Duel, Says Carlton Cole

Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole told GOAL that a scoring rivalry between Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers at Chelsea is bound to develop this season. These two close friends have reunited at Stamford Bridge after time apart at Manchester City, determined to outscore each other in the 2026-27 campaign.

Comparing Goals and Assists 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 part of England's squad, has a career-best goal tally of 14 during his Aston Villa days. Palmer aims to regain the form that earned him 25 goal involvements in his debut season at Chelsea, where he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

A Playmaking Duo to Watch

Chelsea relies heavily on their No.10s—Palmer wears the jersey—to spark attacking success amid defensive vulnerabilities. With Brazilian striker Joao Pedro spearheading the attack, consistent goal scoring is crucial for accumulating points and progressing in domestic cups.

Palmer and Rogers are considered among the world’s finest playmakers, sharing company with talents like Michael Olise, Luis Diaz, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who represent clubs such as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Cole’s Take on the Dynamic Pair

“Their forward line is formidable. It’s probably one of the best in the Premier League if you’re going to look at it man-to-man on paper. Morgan’s come in, probably a Chelsea fan from young, playing alongside his mate Cole Palmer who he’s known for years. The camaraderie and banter between them is obvious, and that lifts the whole team.”

“On the field, they’re both trying to create and score. There’s a natural competition to see who nets more goals this season. I remember a cup game against Leeds where Rogers assisted four times and Palmer scored twice, but Rogers questioned how Palmer got man of the match—that’s the kind of friendly rivalry you want in a dressing room.”

“They can’t be blamed for Chelsea’s defensive issues. While scoring goals is their role, it’s not all their responsibility. If the defence leaks, the forwards must score more, but balance is key. This needs fixing quickly or it could hurt team morale.”

Recent Form and Upcoming Fixtures

Chelsea has failed to win in their last three Premier League games, managing only one point and conceding seven goals. Their next match is against AFC Bournemouth on October 10, with coach Xabi Alonso looking to Palmer and Rogers to inspire the side. Encouraging competition between these two creative forces is expected to bring out their best performances.

• Next fixture: Chelsea vs AFC Bournemouth
• Date & Time: October 10, 2026, 17:00