Darren Bent picks who’s got more natural ability – Cole Palmer or Martin Odegaard

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Darren Bent has compared Chelsea’s Cole Palmer against Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, two of the elite attacking midfielders in the Premier League right now.

Chelsea have one of the world’s outstanding young talents right now in Cole Palmer. At the age of 22, he’s quickly become the talisman around Stamford Bridge after arriving last summer from Manchester City.

The England international has been on fire for his club in the opening months of this season, scoring six goals and making five assists in seven league games. WhoScored included Palmer in the Premier League Team of the Season so far.

Meanwhile, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has lived up to his potential since arriving in North London in 2021. The 25-year-old playmaker has struggled with an ankle injury so far this campaign, but he’s been so vital to Mikel Arteta’s side in recent years during their title challenges.

• READ MORE: What Cole Palmer has just done that no Chelsea player has achieved since Ashley Cole

Darren Bent picks between Cole Palmer or Martin Odegaard

TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent actually thinks Palmer has more “natural ability” than counterpart Odegaard. However, he added that he wouldn’t trade Odegaard in Arsenal’s system for the Chelsea star.

When asked why he’d pick Odegaard over Palmer at Arsenal, Bent told talkSPORT: “Brilliant on the ball, work rate, leader, captain. Also, I told you already about Odegaard in Arsenal’s structure.

“I’ve got no doubts that natural ability Cole Palmer is better, but I think in systems Odegaard is better because you know what you’re going to get. Arsenal don’t play with a maverick; that’s what Cole Palmer is.”

For what it’s worth, we agree that Palmer has the edge in terms of pure footballing talent and technique. He’s doing things at the Bridge that supporters haven’t seen since Eden Hazard left.

Comparing Cole Palmer and Martin Odegaard last season

Let’s take a look at how the Chelsea and Arsenal playmakers compare last season:

As seen above, Palmer enjoyed a phenomenal individual campaign last year. Incidentally, three of his games were for Man City before his switch to Chelsea.

Similarly, Odegaard was so often the heartbeat of the Arsenal team. Even if his attacking numbers aren’t quite as high, he’s the Gunners leader and so vital in unlocking opposition sides.

Unsurprisingly, we’d edge towards Palmer as the stronger No 10. But the Chelsea man’s challenge is to replicate his success over an extended period, something that Odegaard is now doing at Arsenal.