One of the ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League, Chelsea, have had the good fortune of signing and fielding some of the finest goalscorers the game has ever seen. Cole Palmer, who joined the club from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, is the latest addition to the list of elites, with the Englishman regularly making headlines with his razor-sharp finishing.
On Boxing Day, the 22-year-old shattered a special goalscoring record for Chelsea — one that stood proudly for 23 long years. In the list below, we will check out the Englishman’s remarkable achievement as we explore the top five players who have scored the most goals in a calendar year for Chelsea. Let’s begin!
#5 Frank Lampard (2005): 20 Goals
The most attack-minded midfielder the Premier League has ever seen, Frank Lampard scored 20 goals in 37 Premier League matches in 2005. ‘Super Frank’ scored eight goals in 18 league matches in the first half of the season and added 12 more in 19 games in the second half.
Lampard spent 13 long years at Stamford Bridge between 2001 and 2014. During his stay, Lampard played in 648 matches for the club in all competitions, scoring 211 goals and emerging as the club’s all-time top scorer. The Englishman won 11 trophies with the Pensioners, including three Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, and one UEFA Europa League.
#4 Diego Costa (2016): 21 Goals
Fearsome centre-forward Diego Costa scored 21 goals in 31 Premier League matches in 2016. The former Spain international found the back of the net seven times in 13 games in the first half of the year. He scored 14 more goals in 18 outings in the latter half of 2016.
Chelsea signed Costa from La Liga side Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2014. He spent three and a half seasons at Stamford Bridge before returning to Atletico. Costa played 120 games for the West London outfit, scoring 59 goals. He helped the team to two Premier League titles and one EFL Cup during his stint.
#3 Didier Drogba (2010): 22 Goals
One of the most influential figures to ply their trade in the Premier League, Didier Drogba scored an impressive 22 league goals in 32 matches throughout 2010. Drogba enjoyed an explosive first half of 2010, scoring 15 times in just 14 appearances. He scored another seven in 18 outings in the second half of the year.
Drogba, who was an example on and off the pitch, played 381 games for Chelsea in all competitions. He scored 164 goals and provided 80 assists, helping the club win four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one UEFA Champions League, three EFL Cups, and two FA Community Shields.
#2 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (2001): 25 Goals
Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink enjoyed a jaw-dropping 2001, scoring 25 Premier League goals in 38 appearances. Hasselbaink found the back of the net 12 times in 18 matches in the first half of the year. In the latter half, the Dutchman scored 13 goals in 20 Premier League matches.
Hasselbaink, who is currently working as a Technical Coach for England, played 177 games for Chelsea in all competitions between 2000 and 2004, scoring 87 goals. He only won one FA Community Shield with the Blues.
#1 Cole Palmer (2024): 26 Goals*
Chelsea poster boy Cole Palmer sits at the summit, having scored 26 Premier League goals for the club in 2024, breaking Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s record of 23 years. Palmer could extend his lead with a strike or two in the clash against Premier League opponents Ipswich Town on 30th December.
Palmer scored 14 goals in 17 Premier League games in the first half of 2024. So far, the 22-year-old has scored 12 goals in 18 outings in the second half.
Since joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, Palmer has played 65 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 37 goals. He could not propel Chelsea to a trophy in the 2023-24 season but ended up winning the Premier League Young Player of the Season Award.
