Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers Set for Goal Scoring Duel at Chelsea, Says Carlton Cole
Chelsea's squad features a growing internal contest for goals between Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, an inevitable development according to former Blues striker Carlton Cole. The pair, who are close friends, have been engaging in friendly banter as they aim to outscore each other this season.
Palmer and Rogers Stats So Far in 2026-27
- Matches played: 7 (all competitions)
- Cole Palmer: 4 goals, 2 assists
- Morgan Rogers: 3 goals, 4 assists
Palmer recently withdrew from the England squad despite initially being recalled by Thomas Tuchel following his World Cup omission. Meanwhile, Rogers remains part of the Three Lions setup. Rogers edges ahead slightly in combined goal contributions at this stage.
Rogers' best tally to date is 14 goals across seasons at Aston Villa, while Palmer is aiming to replicate the spark he showed during his debut West London campaign, where he notched 25 goal involvements and won PFA Young Player of the Year.
A Potent Playmaking Duo in Chelsea’s Attack
Chelsea depend heavily on both No.10s to deliver amid defensive struggles that have been tough to resolve. With Brazilian striker Joao Pedro spearheading the line, scoring chances from Palmer and Rogers become crucial for securing points and progressing in domestic cups.
The two are regarded as a creative partnership on par with top talents like Michael Olise, Luis Diaz, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
Cole Weighs In on Their Competition and Impact
"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," said Carlton Cole, speaking with GOAL through LiveScore Bet."Morgan came in, and I think he’s a Chelsea fan from when he was young. He’s there with his mate, Cole Palmer. They’ve grown up knowing and playing with each other, understanding each other's game.""You see their camaraderie and banter, which spreads to the group and makes everyone feel comfortable. Off the field, it's great, but on the field, they're both pushing to create and score goals. There will definitely be a competition to see who scores more.""There was that moment after a cup game against Leeds where Rogers created four chances and Palmer scored twice, yet Rogers was puzzled how Palmer got man of the match. That kind of friendly rivalry is exactly what you want in the dressing room.""They can't be blamed for defensive issues. Their job is to score, but if the defence leaks goals, they have to score more to compensate. It's a shared responsibility, and balance is needed to avoid tension in the squad."
Chelsea’s Current Form and Upcoming Fixtures
The Blues have struggled recently, failing to win in their last three Premier League matches, collecting just one point and conceding seven goals. Their next match is scheduled for October 10 against AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
Coach Xabi Alonso will be counting on Palmer and Rogers to inspire the team, encouraging their internal competition to bring out their best performances.
- Date: 10 October 2026
- Fixture: Chelsea vs AFC Bournemouth
- Time: 17:00
