The Guardian recently published an analysis questioning the frequent use of the phrase 'he’s not that kind of player' by football commentators. The author suggests that this expression is a 'meaningless banality' often deployed to excuse aggressive or late challenges committed by players who are otherwise perceived as 'nice guys.'

The article posits that if a player commits a dangerous foul, they are, by definition, the type of player who performs such actions, regardless of their reputation. The author notes that commentators rarely use the inverse phrase—'he is that kind of player'—even when a player’s history of fouls might warrant it. The piece serves as a critique of how sports media frames player conduct, suggesting that the desire to protect a player's image often overrides an objective assessment of their on-field behavior. By examining the disconnect between a player's public persona and their physical style of play, the article challenges the audience to reconsider the language used to describe professional athletes in the Premier League.