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The Worst Finishers: An Analysis of Players Underperforming in Front of Goal


The world of soccer is filled with talented players who grace the field with their skills, but for some, the challenge of finding the back of the net seems to be an ongoing struggle. In this article, we take a closer look at the top 10 players who are currently underperforming in front of goal this season, and the reasons behind their poor finishing.

It is important to note that we have excluded penalties from this analysis. For a less fun list of players who are wildly outstripping their expected goals (xG) numbers, we refer you to another article.

Starting off our list at number 10 is Diego Costa of Wolves. Expected to score 2.0 goals this season, the striker has yet to find the back of the net, despite taking 8 shots in a 4–0 defeat against Leicester City. Costa has also accumulated more red cards than goals since his return to the Premier League, making his future in the top flight uncertain.

At number 9, we have Matheus Nunes of Wolves, who shares the same expected goals of 2.0, but has similarly failed to score. Interestingly, Nunes would fit in well with Liverpool, who have had their own issues with finishing this season.

Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United takes the 8th spot on our list. With an xG of 5.2, Bowen has only managed to score 3 goals this season, making it the third time in four Premier League seasons where he has underperformed compared to his expected goals.

Moving up to number 7, we have Liverpool’s Mo Salah, who has an xG of 9.2 but has only managed to score 7 goals this season. Salah’s below-par performance has been particularly noticeable in games against Leicester City, where he missed several clear-cut chances.

Ryan Yates of Nottingham Forest takes the 6th spot on our list, with an xG of 2.2 and no goals to show for it. Despite taking 25 shots this season, Yates’ poor finishing continues to be a concern for Nottingham Forest.

Mohamed Elyounoussi of Southampton is next on the list at number 5, with an xG of 2.5 and no goals to show for it. Elyounoussi’s monumental miss against Newcastle was given an xG value of 0.66, highlighting the forward’s struggles in front of goal. 

At number 4, we have Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal, who has an xG of 7.7 but has only managed to score 5 goals this season. While Jesus is known for his hard work and all-round game, his sub-optimal finishing, with just 5 goals from 50 shots, has been a source of concern for Arsenal fans.

Patrick Bamford takes the 3rd spot on our list, with an xG of 4.0 and just 1 goal to show for it. Despite scoring a goal, Bamford’s overall performance this season has been subpar.

At number 2, we have Darwin Nunez of Liverpool, who has an xG of 8.1 but has only managed to score 5 goals this season. Despite his poor finishing, Nunez has become a fan favorite for his chaotic and entertaining style of play.

Finally, topping our list at number 1 is Danny Welbeck of Brighton, with an xG of 4.9 and just 1 goal to show for it. Despite scoring a goal, Welbeck has struggled to replicate that performance in subsequent games, and will need to step up his game if he wants to continue to feature in the starting lineup.

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