Nadiri, Raskin and the Double Standards

Nadiri’s contributions this season haven’t cut it, yet he’s judged differently to others. Chermiti, xG and the optics matter — while Raskin’s tendency to lose control is glossed over. Here’s why.

Right away: I agree with the core gripe. Nadiri has barely contributed this season, and the numbers the poster mentions — two goals against lower opposition and one in the league — don't exactly silence critics. Fans are allowed to ask whether the striker is offering enough for the minutes he gets. To be fair, names colour opinions; if he was Chermiti, some would already be framing his output more kindly.

Nadiri hasn’t done himself any favours. When a forward’s output is so light you can list the goals in one breath, patience runs thin. It isn’t just raw goals either — people notice involvement, link-up play, pressing and how often a striker drags defenders out of position. Those are the bits that don’t always show up in simple tallies, but supporters see them on the park. Right now, though, the visible stuff tips towards not enough.

Chermiti gets an easy ride in some corners because of what his underlying numbers are said to show — the claim that he’s above xG and therefore scoring more than expected is the sort of stat that changes perception. If the stat line suggests he’s finishing better than chance would predict, people are more forgiving of missed chances. That’s human. But we shouldn’t let flattering metrics excuse poor overall contribution week to week. Context matters: who the goals came against and how the rest of the team functions when he’s on the pitch.

Then there’s Raskin. This is the thing that winds a lot of fans up: the same player can be a favourite and get the benefit of doubt repeatedly. The claim that Raskin “loses control of games” and drags us into 3-2 type scraps speaks to temperament and game management, not raw talent. A Belgium international tag doesn’t automatically mean you’re above critique. If a midfield pairing like Raskin/Dio creates recurring problems over seasons, we need to talk about structure, defensive shape and who’s asked to cover transitions, not just who wears the shirt.

Truth is, these conversations get messy because perception, stats and patience all mix. Fair questions can be asked of Nadiri’s season so far, and equally fair to point out patterns that suggest Raskin’s influence isn’t always positive. Fans aren’t being picky for the sake of it — we want balance, honesty and some consistency from whoever’s picked up front and in midfield.

Written by ItsNotComplicated: 2 June 2026