Which player has missed the most penalties in Premier League history? A list of the 5 record-breaking failures from the spot
For any player, taking a penalty brings pressure. They face the goalkeeper, with tens of thousands of spectators watching and expecting a goal. Missing a penalty, while disappointing, is a normal part of the game. Even superstars like Ronaldo and Messi have missed many times. In this article, goaloomobi.com answers the question: Which player has missed the most penalties in Premier League history?
Which player has missed the most penalties in Premier League history?
Currently, the players with the most missed penalties in Premier League history are Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney, both with 11 misses. Alan Shearer also holds the record for the most penalty goals in the league. During his career with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, he was always the main striker and the first choice for penalties.
Shearer’s missed penalties were partly linked to his style. He was known for powerful shots with his instep, usually aimed at the top corners or straight down the middle. This made it very difficult for goalkeepers to save. However, if the shot was slightly off target, the ball could easily go over the bar or hit the post. Despite holding the record for the most missed penalties, he still maintained a high success rate of around 83.5%.
Wayne Rooney also missed 11 penalties, but his success rate was lower. The former Manchester United and Everton striker had a success rate of about 67.6%. He missed 8 penalties while playing for Manchester United and 3 while playing for Everton. Notably, all three misses for Everton came during the 2017/18 season, when he returned to the club.
There are several reasons behind Rooney’s missed penalties. He used different techniques and often changed his shooting direction. While this made him unpredictable, it also allowed goalkeepers to study his habits and prepare better. Interestingly, statistics show that in matches across all competitions where Rooney missed a penalty, his team still won.
Top 5 players with the most penalties missed in Premier League history
After Shearer and Rooney, the next two players each missed 7 penalties: Jamie Vardy and Frank Lampard. Jamie Vardy has missed 7 penalties in the Premier League. His style involves strong shots aimed at the corners. While this has led to many goals, it also increases the risk of hitting the post or sending the ball over the crossbar.
One of Vardy’s most costly misses came in 2023, during Leicester’s 3-5 defeat to Fulham. The missed penalty affected the match, and Leicester later finished two points behind Everton and were relegated. Despite this, Vardy scored 27 penalties overall, giving him a success rate of around 80%, which still reflects his importance to the team.
Frank Lampard, although a midfielder, was regularly trusted with penalties at Chelsea. Even though he appears on the list of missed penalties, he scored 43 penalty goals in the league, with a strong success rate of 86%. Manchester City and Stoke City each saved two of his penalties, the highest number against any single team.
One of Lampard’s most memorable moments came in 2009 against West Ham. He had to retake a penalty three times because referee Mike Dean ruled that players had entered the penalty area too early. Lampard scored from the same direction each time, showing calmness and mental strength despite the pressure from the Upton Park crowd.
The final player on the list is former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham, with 6 missed penalties. One of his most memorable misses happened in 1997 against his former club Tottenham Hotspur. His low, powerful shot hit the post, and his rebound attempt went over the bar. Despite this, Manchester United still won the match 2-0.
In fact, Teddy Sheringham was considered a reliable penalty taker. During his time at Tottenham, Manchester United, Portsmouth, and West Ham, he successfully converted 21 penalties, with a success rate of around 70%. He is also remembered as one of the most intelligent strikers in Premier League history, scoring a total of 146 goals.
Goaloo Mobi has just answered the question about which player has missed the most penalties in Premier League history. Although some names such as Bruno Fernandes are not included, the information above reflects the Top 5. To read more football predictions and updates, please visit our link above.
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