When looking at potential penalty takers in this England squad, one might pause at Morgan Rogers’ name. A talented goal-scorer who has delivered in big moments, he might be the sort of name one would expect near the front of the queue. But he actually does not have much history from the spot.
Rogers did net for his country in a friendly against Austria two years ago, but he missed his most recent attempt from 12 yards, against Bologna in the Europa League last season, and has never stepped up in a shootout. What might it look like if he is called upon in this World Cup? It’s hard to predict.
Meanwhile, Jordan Hendersondespite his experience and stand-out qualities as a leader, does not have a great record when it comes to penalties. He was one of those subbed off by Sir Gareth Southgate ahead of the infamous shootout in the Euro 2020 final, having missed in the 2018 World Cup against Colombia before failing to convert in a warm-up friendly for the subsequent Euros against Romania. Henderson did net his most recent attempt from the spot, in Ajax’s Europa League win over Panathinaikos at the start of the 2024-25 season, but his overall record sits at a rather sketchy two scored from five taken.
On the other end of the spectrum is Jordan Pickford. Usually tasked with stopping penalties rather than scoring them, England’s No.1 has only taken one spot-kick in his senior career, but it was a beauty, in the Nations League shootout win over Switzerland in 2019. With limited experience as a taker, he’s unlikely to be near the top of the list and remains unpredictable. But his conviction seven years ago will stick in the minds of many – including Pickford himself.
