The Premier League thrives on its passionate fanbases and their opinions. Often, these opinions can overshadow objective facts, leading to contrasting perceptions of similar situations. A prime example is the contrasting media portrayals of Bruno Fernandes‘ 2020/21 season at Manchester United and Cole Palmer‘s current 2023/24 campaign at Chelsea, both featuring heavily in terms of goals scored through penalties.
Fernandes’ 2020/21: A Double-Edged Sword
Bruno Fernandes‘ arrival at Manchester United in January 2020 was a breath of fresh air. He revitalized their midfield with his creativity, scoring 18 goals and assisting 12 in the Premier League alone. However, a closer look reveals that 9 of those goals came from the penalty spot. This stat became a double-edged sword for Fernandes.
On the one hand, his penalty conversion rate was commendable. He was a reliable source of goals, a crucial factor in United’s resurgence. On the other hand, some fans and pundits labelled him “Penandes,” implying an over-reliance on penalties to inflate his goal tally. This perception overshadowed his overall contribution, which included creating 20 big chances for teammates.
Palmer’s 2023/24: A Change in Tune?
Fast forward to the current season: Cole Palmer, a young midfielder thriving at Chelsea, finds himself in a strikingly similar situation. With 20 goals already to his name, he leads the Premier League scoring charts. However, mirroring Fernandes, 9 of those goals have come from penalties. Despite this, the narrative surrounding Palmer is vastly different. Nicknamed “Cold Palmer POTY” by some, he’s lauded for his finishing prowess, with less focus placed on the penalty count.
Dissecting the Discrepancy
There are several possible explanations for this contrasting treatment.
- Club Bias: Manchester United, a club with a massive global fanbase, attracts more scrutiny. Fernandes’ penalty goals might have been seen as a symptom of a larger problem at United, while Palmer’s benefit from the ‘success-oriented’ environment at Chelsea.
- Playing Style: Fernandes’ role at United often involved drawing fouls in dangerous areas, leading to more penalty opportunities. Palmer, on the other hand, may be excelling at converting penalties awarded for fouls drawn by teammates.
- Evolving Perception of Penalties: The reliance on penalties as a tactic has become more accepted in recent years. Additionally, with top scorers like Mohamed Salah also scoring a significant number of penalties, it might not be as negatively viewed as before.
- The “New Kid” Factor: Palmer, as a young talent, might benefit from a more forgiving narrative compared to the established Fernandes.
Looking Beyond the Numbers
While goals are undoubtedly crucial, judging a player solely on their penalty record paints an incomplete picture. Both Fernandes and Palmer offer more to their teams. Fernandes’ creative influence is evident in his 12 assists from the 2020/21 season, while Palmer’s overall playmaking ability remains to be seen with a lower assist tally in the ongoing season.
Moving the Goalposts?
There’s a case to be made that the media attention surrounding Fernandes and Palmer’s penalty goals does exhibit a double standard. However, it’s important to consider the broader context—club bias, playing styles and the evolving perception of penalties. Ultimately, both players are valuable assets to their teams, contributing in ways that extend beyond just scoring from the penalty spot. The focus should be on their overall impact on the game, not just the source of their goals.
