I have some thoughts on goalkeepers taking penalties. Goalkeepers taking penalties is a net positive from an entertainment standpoint. Goalkeepers taking penalties is a net negative, from a soccer standpoint.
Sure, there have been goalkeepers who double as penalty specialists and they are professional footballers, so they can be expected to have enough skill to score from the spot when called upon. On the other hand, hello Thibaut Courtois in the Community Shield:
Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Morata penalty missed #chears #ARSvsCHE #ARSvCHE #FootyMotion #Chelsea #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/2n5l3KoWzd
— World Football (@FootyMotion2) August 6, 2017
Antonio Conte said after the match Courtois is a good penalty taker and he's still comfortable with the big Belgian taking them when necessary. Courtois did score from the spot against PSG in the International Champions Cup this summer.
On the other hand, though, yikes Thibaut Courtois. Maybe take PK tips from someone besides John Terry next time.
