Penalties are often some of the biggest moments in games, as they can determine whether one side edges a feisty contest, or picks up a vital point in the last minute. The is always full of drama, and the introduction of VAR has only made spot-kicks all the more common in the English top flight of late. Given the amount of pressure on players' shoulders, it is no surprise that the question of who generally takes responsibility from 12 yards can be a big decision for a manager. Sometimes there may be a standout option – a high-performing striker, perhaps – but on other occasions there may be less clarity over who is best suited for the
Job. This article runs through every 2023/24
Premier League club's designated penalty taker, based on data taken from , detailing which (current) player has taken the most penalties for their club over the past 12 months. For some clubs, it is not quite an exact science, with penalties being shared relatively evenly, but one figurehead does usually present themselves, as will be seen throughout this list. Premier League Penalty Takers 2023/24
Arsenal Bukayo Saka 10/12 (83.3%) Aston Villa Douglas Luiz 6/7 (85.7%) Bournemouth Dominic Solanke 11/13 (84.6%) Brentford Ivan Toney 28/30 (93.3%) Brighton Joao Pedro 13/13 (100%) Burnley Jay Rodriguez 23/25 (92%)
Chelsea Cole Palmer 9/9 (100%) Crystal Palace Eberechi Eze 7/8 (87.5%) Everton Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6/7 (85.7%) Fulham Willian 11/12 (91.7%)
Liverpool Mohamed Salah 39/49 (79.6%) Luton Town Carlton Morris 8/9 (88.9%)
Manchester City Erling Haaland 41/45 (91.1%)
Manchester United Bruno Fernandes 52/58 (89.7%) Newcastle United Callum Wilson 21/24 (87.5%) Nottingham Forest Morgan Gibbs-White 5/6 (83.3%) Sheffield United James McAtee 4/5 (80%)
Tottenham Hotspur Heung-Min Son 11/16 (68.8%) West Ham United James Ward-Prowse 20/26 (76.9%) Wolverhampton Wanderers Hwang Hee-chan 9/11 (81.8%) and Mikel Arteta's team have become renowned for the youthful energy within their squad, which has led to a strong sense of camaraderie among staff, players and fans alike. It is partly due to that unity that penalties appear to be shared around regularly, with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus occasionally stepping in. However, the predominant taker is Bukayo Saka, who has stepped up for seven penalties since the start of the 2022/23 campaign. Bukayo Saka Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 12 Penalties Scored 10 Penalties Missed 2 Conversion Rate (%) 83.3 Douglas Luiz's penalty precision has proven pivotal for Aston Villa since he joined the club in 2019. The
Brazil international contributed to a dramatic late turnaround against Crystal Palace during the 2023/24 season. Luiz also found the back of the net from 12 yards against Everton, as Unai Emery's side smashed the Toffees 4-0, with the 25-year-old a reliable choice for the task. His form has helped Villa become one of the surprise packages during the 2023/24 campaign. Douglas Luiz Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 7 Penalties Scored 6 Penalties Missed 1 Conversion Rate (%) 85.7 Bournemouth have only been awarded two penalties since their return to the Premier League in 2022/23. Dominic Solanke has been entrusted with both spot kicks, converting his first against Fulham before blazing over when faced with Sheffield United's Ivo Grbic. The striker was the club's top scorer during Bournemouth's return to England's top flight with seven goals. He continued his fine form in the 2023/24 campaign, for the club in all competitions. That tally could have been even higher with a little more composure. Dominic Solanke Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 13 Penalties Scored 11 Penalties Missed 2 Conversion Rate (%) 84.6 Ivan Toney possesses a remarkable record of scoring 28 out of his 30 spot-kicks during his career and is yet to miss a penalty for Brentford. His understudy has come in the form of Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroon international boasted a 100% conversion rate while deputising for Toney when the
England striker was forced to watch from afar following his ban for breaching FA gambling rules. Ivan Toney Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 30 Penalties Scored 28 Penalties Missed 2 Conversion Rate (%) 93.3 Following Alexis Mac Allister's departure to Liverpool ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, Brighton needed a new designated penalty taker, a position that has been filled with distinction by 22-year-old striker Joao Pedro. The Brazilian scored from the spot against Luton, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur (twice) but has also proven adept at doing so in the UEFA Europa League. Joao Pedro Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 13 Penalties Scored 13 Penalties Missed 0 Conversion Rate (%) 100 Burnley have only been awarded a pair of penalties since their promotion from the Championship last summer. Jay Rodriguez was relied upon to convert the first spot kick. Having been at the Clarets during the early stages of his career, the now 34-year-old is one of the most experienced players in the Burnley side. Throughout his career, he has missed just two of the 25 penalties he has taken, making him incredibly reliable from 12 yards. Hoffenheim loanee Jacob Bruun Larsen stepped up in Rodriguez's absence to convert against Brentford in March. Jay Rodriguez Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 25 Penalties Scored 23 Penalties Missed 2 Conversion Rate (%) 92 Cole Palmer has scored every single one of his penalties for Chelsea so far this season, and with Christopher Nkunku returning to fitness, he will have the tough task of replacing Palmer as the club's penalty taker. The forward has been one of the shining lights in a tough 2023/24 campaign for Chelsea, Cole Palmer Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 9 Penalties Scored 9 Penalties Missed 9 Conversion Rate (%) 100 Luka Milivojevic was Crystal Palace's penalty taker for several years, that responsibility then fell onto the shoulders of Wilfried Zaha. However, with both players departing Selhurst Park in recent years, Eberechi Eze has been named as the designated penalty taker. A role he had at his previous club, Queens Park Rangers. during his time with Palace, he has proven to be one of the club's most important players. Eberechi Eze Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 8 Penalties Scored 7 Penalties Missed 1 Conversion Rate (%) 87.5 Having been absent from the team at various points during the 2022/23 season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not have as many chances as he would have liked to make an impact for , with the striker taking just one penalty during the whole of the campaign, an important one away at Leicester City in May 2023. Despite this, he remains the most experienced penalty taker at the club. The striker has featured on the injury list again during the 2023/24 season, in what has been another , leaving Beto to take Everton's only penalty of the campaign. The Portuguese forward failed to score in a 3-1 loss to West Ham. Dominic Calvert-Lewin Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 7 Penalties Scored 6 Penalties Missed 1 Conversion Rate (%) 85.7 After Aleksandar Mitrovic's move to the Saudi Pro League ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, the Cottagers found themselves without the man who had been firing goals for them since 2018, and in need of a new penalty taker. Fortunately, for Fulham, the experienced Willian has filled the void, missing just one of the 12 penalties he has taken across his entire career. The former Chelsea forward has converted all seven of his Premier League spot kicks. Willian Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 12 Penalties Scored 11 Penalties Missed 1 Conversion Rate (%) 91.7 One of the most obvious selections on this list, Mohamed Salah has been the penalty taker for for some time now, scoring not just in the Premier League but across multiple competitions. What is a little more surprising is that his record is not quite as good as many would have expected, with the Egyptian winger scoring 39 out of his 49 penalties in his professional career, which, while impressive, is a little below the percentages of others. Mohamed Salah Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 49 Penalties Scored 39 Penalties Missed 10 Conversion Rate (%) 79.6 One of the Premier League's newest clubs, The Hatters, have had several opportunities from 12 yards, all four of which have been converted by Carlton Morris, the striker who played an integral part in getting Luton promoted to the top flight last season. With 20 goals in the Championship, Morris has shown himself to be an important component of Rob Edwards' team and will look to continue his fine form for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign. Carlton Morris Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 9 Penalties Scored 8 Penalties Missed 1 Conversion Rate (%) 88.9 There will be very few people unaware of Erling Haaland's lethal ability in front of goal, so it should be apparent that he is 's designated penalty taker, something which helped the Norwegian for goals scored. Seven of his 36 goals came from the spot, with his career record reflecting that dominance in the form of his 91.1% success rate. Erling Haaland Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 45 Penalties Scored 41 Penalties Missed 4 Conversion Rate (%) 91.1 Bruno Fernandes is so well-known for his ability from the spot that some occasionally try to poke fun at the Portugal international for the sheer number of goals he scores via penalties. Nevertheless, his career record is extremely impressive, with the midfielder missing just six out of his 58 overall spot kicks, making him an excellent option for any team to have. Bruno Fernandes Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 58 Penalties Scored 52 Penalties Missed 6 Conversion Rate (%) 89.7 Callum Wilson of has shown his aptitude for penalties at various clubs, primarily for Bournemouth and, now, for the Magpies. The striker has not missed from the spot in over five years, scoring his last 13 in a row, putting him right up near the top of the best penalty-takers in the league. Wilson has been a vital part of Newcastle's resurgence under Eddie Howe in recent seasons. Callum Wilson Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 24 Penalties Scored 21 Penalties Missed 3 Conversion Rate (%) 87.5 With squad turnover among the highest in the Premier League, having anyone in a settled role at Nottingham Forest might seem difficult to manage. However, their penalty taker is one area that remains consistent. Brennan Johnson, who was previously on penalty duties, but missed two during the 2022/23 season, has now left the club for Tottenham. Morgan Gibbs-White has since taken over from Johnson as the designated penalty taker and having missed just one throughout his career, serves as a reliable replacement. Morgan Gibbs-White Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 6 Penalties Scored 5 Penalties Missed 1 Conversion Rate (%) 83.3 Much like Forest, Sheffield United have also had a high turnover of players, which has made choosing a designated penalty taker all the more difficult, especially since long-time Blade Billy Sharp left the club. Rhian Brewster has emerged as a possible contender, as well as Oliver Norwood. However, James McAtee has been appointed the player to try his luck from 12 yards for Sheffield United. James McAtee Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 5 Penalties Scored 4 Penalties Missed 1 Conversion Rate (%) 80 With being awarded just one penalty since previous taker , it was Heung-Min Son who took responsibility from 12 yards against Newcastle United in November 2023, making no mistake from the spot. There was some uncertainty surrounding who would be the club's designated penalty taker with the arrival of James Maddison ahead of the 2023/24 season. However, it appears as though Son is the man to take responsibility from the spot. Heung-Min Son Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 16 Penalties Scored 11 Penalties Missed 5 Conversion Rate (%) 68.8 With Said Benrahma rarely featuring in the starting line-up and subsequently leaving West Ham United, James Ward-Prowse has been the man responsible for converting from 12 yards since arriving from Southampton ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. The midfielder is a solid replacement, having missed six of his 26 penalties throughout his career. James Ward Prowse Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 26 Penalties Scored 20 Penalties Missed 6 Conversion Rate (%) 76.9 Hwang Hee-chan is Wolves' designated penalty taker and has a respectable record of scoring nine out of 11 from 12 yards during his career. The
South Korea international has been a key player for the club since his arrival in August 2021, scoring 20 goals in 87 appearances, as well as providing seven assists in that time. Hwang Hee-chan Penalty Record Number of Penalties Taken 11 Penalties Scored 9 Penalties Missed 2 Conversion Rate (%) 81.8