Last week, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was asked during a post-match interview about the growing criticism he had been facing in the media. In his response, Fernandes was composed and insightful, acknowledging that much of the criticism stemmed from former club captain Roy Keane’s questioning of his leadership. “Of course, it’s not pleasant to hear such things about yourself, but at the same time, it drives you to improve. People believe there are areas where I need to grow,” Fernandes stated.
His response highlighted the challenging position that top Premier League players, like Fernandes, find themselves in today. With global media constantly analyzing their every move, players can choose to either ignore the noise or do their best to brush it off. However, if something in the media gains traction, players often find themselves in the uncomfortable position of addressing it live on TV.
Everyone has the right to voice their opinion, including the highly regarded Roy Keane. As one of Manchester United’s most successful captains, Keane’s comments carry weight, and many people in the football community will listen to his perspective. However, the most important voice in Fernandes’ career is that of his manager, who appointed him as captain. It’s the respect he earns from his teammates, those who walk behind him on the field, that truly matters. They are the ones who see his leadership day in and day out and know what he brings to the club.
In this age of constant media attention, it’s easy for a player to claim they don’t pay attention to what’s being said about them. While this may be true, many players often project an image of strength, saying everything is fine, even when criticism from media, fans, or peers might be affecting them. For those closest to them – family and friends – the helplessness is often palpable. They can’t alter the outcome of matches or influence public opinion, leaving them to watch from the sidelines as their loved ones are scrutinized.
As someone who has transitioned from playing to working in the media, I understand the importance of saying things directly to a person, rather than offering commentary from afar. In many cases, once a story is out in the public domain, the player’s ability to respond effectively is lost, and their reaction becomes secondary.
While players do have social media platforms to communicate their own messages, they can’t afford to speak out every time someone criticizes them. Social media is a powerful tool, but it also allows certain narratives to be built around players. These narratives can sometimes be based on facts but can also perpetuate stereotypes or misrepresentations that may no longer be accurate.
Take Kai Havertz, for example. The Arsenal striker has been heavily criticized for his role up front, but despite this, manager Mikel Arteta has continued to back him. Last season, Havertz faced criticism but responded with a goal-scoring run, leading to praise. However, as soon as Havertz missed a few chances this season, the criticism returned, with many questioning his suitability as a striker. The media and fans can sometimes form opinions based on temporary performances, but these opinions rarely shift once they are established.
In truth, it’s rare for people to admit they’ve changed their perspective or that they were wrong in the first place. More often, they will simply stop voicing their opinions until circumstances change, only to repeat their earlier criticisms when things go south again.
The Premier League is undeniably tough, and every team and player in the league has earned their place. Even teams at risk of relegation, like Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton, didn’t just stumble into the top flight; they’ve fought hard to get there, and their players are more than capable. Yet, it’s all too common for people to speak about these teams and players as if they don’t have the ability to compete at the highest level.
I can relate to this from my own experience. During the 2011-12 season, I joined Queens Park Rangers alongside a number of new players. We managed to stay up that year, but the following season, after relegation, the criticism came thick and fast. Players were labeled as mercenaries who didn’t care about the club, despite some of us having been there for a long time. The hostility from fans was palpable, and when my family or friends attended games, they couldn’t avoid the abuse being hurled at me. As a player, I could handle it, but seeing my loved ones affected by it was much harder.
From a player’s perspective, it’s incredibly difficult to prove critics wrong when the media and public opinion have already formed their judgment. All you can hope for is that your manager continues to trust you. If you weren’t good enough, you wouldn’t be playing regularly.
Players don’t typically watch review shows or scroll through social media to gauge public opinion. As they gain experience, they tend to ignore the noise. However, they still face constant questioning, whether it’s from journalists or fans asking about the latest opinions. This can be tough to deal with, especially when people deliver bad news with enthusiasm, hoping to provoke a response.
Back in my playing days, if a player was asked about criticism in the media, it was easy to simply claim not to read the newspapers. While that was probably true for many, the reality was that the papers were always available at the training ground. Players would see them, even if not reading the back pages. Fast-forward to the modern era, and now players are bombarded with podcasts, YouTube channels, livestreams, and social media discussions, making it much harder to avoid public scrutiny.
Some may argue that players should stay off social media, but that’s a significant part of modern life. Footballers are young people, and they want to enjoy platforms like Instagram, keeping up with trends and humor. However, when they have a high-profile career, they’re inevitably exposed to public opinions – some of which can be harsh or unfair.
Take Phil Jones as an example. Despite winning trophies and representing his country, he was subjected to years of ridicule during his time at Manchester United. After retiring due to injury, Jones opened up about the emotional toll it took on him, prompting some public apologies. Yet, it’s easy to forget that he’s a real person, with family and friends who also had to endure the abuse.
There are moments when players need help from their teammates or support from within themselves to cope with the pressures of public scrutiny. It’s a tough position to be in, and in such times, players rely on their inner circle to help them stay grounded and maintain perspective.
