The mystery behind why Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers mimics Cole Palmer’s iconic “cold” goal celebration has finally been uncovered. Fans have often wondered why both players use the same celebratory gesture after scoring, and now the answer has been revealed.
During Aston Villa’s recent match against newly-promoted Ipswich Town, Morgan Rogers scored a crucial equalizer, helping his team overturn an early deficit. Ollie Watkins later secured a lead for Villa before halftime, allowing them to go into the break with a 2-1 advantage. While Rogers made an impact for Villa, earlier in the same matchweek, Palmer grabbed headlines for Chelsea by scoring an astonishing four goals in just 41 minutes, propelling his side to a 4-2 victory over Brighton.
After both players scored in their respective matches, they celebrated in the same way, rubbing their arms as if they were cold—symbolizing that they stay “cold” under pressure. While it might seem like an homage or friendly rivalry between the two, the origins of this celebration run deeper, stemming from their shared history at Manchester City.
Morgan Rogers has claimed that the celebration actually originated with him during their time together in the Manchester City academy. Reflecting on it after a previous match between Aston Villa and Chelsea, where the two teams drew 2-2, Rogers was asked whether Palmer had adopted his signature celebration. Rogers confidently asserted that Palmer had indeed copied him, saying, “Yeah, he definitely copied me. It’s my celebration. Check the timeline—I did it first.”
Cole Palmer vs Morgan Rogers The Story Behind Their Shared Goal Celebration
He went on to express his pride in Palmer’s recent success, emphasizing the close bond the two share, not just in football but in life as a whole. Rogers added that he always believed in Palmer’s abilities, even years ago, and it’s been a joy to see the Chelsea star fulfill the potential that he and others have long recognized.
However, Palmer had a different take on the matter. While he acknowledged that Rogers may have started the celebration, he believes that his use of it propelled it into the spotlight. In an interview with talkSPORT, Palmer stated, “We’ve talked about this. He knows that I did it, and it took off from there. Everyone knows it’s my celebration. He might have done it first, but everybody knows it’s mine now.”
Despite the friendly debate over who truly owns the “cold” celebration, it’s clear that both players have found success in their own right. Rogers, who made the move from Middlesbrough to Aston Villa in February 2024 on a five-year deal, has begun to make his mark at Villa Park. His goal against Ipswich was his first of the 2024/2025 season, and he has already contributed two assists, signaling his growing influence on the team.
Palmer, on the other hand, has been thriving since his big-money move to Chelsea in the summer of 2023. Chelsea paid £40 million to bring him to Stamford Bridge, and he has more than justified the investment. In just six Premier League matches, Palmer has scored six goals and provided four assists, solidifying his status as one of the league’s brightest young talents.
While the debate over who pioneered the celebration might persist, the mutual respect and friendship between Rogers and Palmer remain at the heart of this lighthearted rivalry. Their connection, formed in the youth ranks at Manchester City, continues to shine through as they each carve out successful careers at the top level of English football.
Both players are thriving, each showing their “cold” composure on the pitch, and though the celebration may have started as a shared moment between friends, it has since become a defining feature of their individual styles, capturing the attention of fans across the Premier League.
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