Are Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro Chelsea’s Best Attack in the Premier League? Ruud Gullit Weighs In
With Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro leading the charge, many wonder if Chelsea now possess the Premier League's most formidable attack. Blues legend Ruud Gullit shared his thoughts exclusively with GOAL on this topic.
After another summer of heavy investment at Stamford Bridge and changes in management, Chelsea certainly appear to have plenty of attacking firepower. Palmer, who scored 25 goals in his debut season and helped the club win both the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, had a tough 2025-26 campaign, missing out on England’s World Cup squad. Rumors suggested he might return to Manchester United, his hometown club, but he remains committed to Chelsea with a long-term contract and renewed confidence after being joined by close friend Rogers, also a product of Manchester City’s academy.
How They Line Up
Xabi Alonso has positioned Palmer and Rogers as creative forces behind Brazilian striker Pedro, another player eager to prove himself after missing out on World Cup selection. This trio has helped Chelsea score nine goals across three matches in Premier League and Carabao Cup competitions so far this season, earning them recognition as serious challengers to reigning champions Arsenal.
Gullit's Take on Chelsea’s Attack
“The short answer is yes. You can see the potential of Chelsea, but it’s more about the collective philosophy of Alonso. They played three at the back against Fulham, but I could see a very strong midfield with Cole Palmer having a kind of freedom without Enzo Fernandez, which for now is a bit of a controversial call. I do believe Chelsea have a strong side, a very strong side.”
Gullit also expressed some reservations about the recent signings of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, questioning whether their roles as mentors fit well with the team’s strategy. He emphasized the need for experienced players who will be first-choice starters rather than occasional contributors.
“Palmer will want revenge. He didn’t take part in the World Cup. England did well there; they reached the semi-final. But everyone could see the evidence that if he’d been there under the right discipline, he could perform. He’s shown he’s ready for the new challenge straight away.”
With no European competition this season, Palmer has the chance to focus entirely on domestic success. Gullit hopes any frustration from missing the World Cup will fuel his performance for Chelsea.
Challenges Ahead
Defensively, Chelsea have room for improvement, conceding five goals in their opening two Premier League matches. The addition of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez aims to shore up their backline. If defensive issues are resolved, the attacking trio of Palmer, Rogers, and Pedro should be enough to keep Chelsea competitive.
The Blues will face a crucial test on Sunday when they travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal, the defending Premier League champions, following the close of the transfer window.
Upcoming Fixture
- Match: Arsenal vs Chelsea
- Date: 6 September 2026
- Time: 17:30
