Nicolas Jackson third and Darwin Nunez second as stats reveal Premier League's top ten most wasteful players

26/04/2024 13:02

Nicolas Jackson, Darwin Nunez and even Erling Haaland have all been talked about among the biggest underperformers in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea and Liverpool strikers Jackson and Nunez have particularly come under fire in recent weeks for spurning major opportunities.

And it has even cost them in big moments in crucial games. Just think where Chelsea could be in the table? Or if Liverpool would be top of the league right now?

Haaland may have 20 Premier League goals this season, but his performances have been below what we saw from him last season. He's wasted an astonishing 30 big chances this campaign.

So talkSPORT.com decided to take a look at the biggest underperformers in front of goal this season.

This is taken by using their xG (expected goals) compared to the amount they have actually scored.

10. Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford)

Goals – 3

xG – 5.66

Underperformance: -2.66

Lewis-Potter scored his first Premier League goal in December, but the stats show he could have had more.

Thomas Frank has used him all over the pitch this season, and often on the bench. There's certainly more to come from the 23-year-old.

9. Luis Diaz (Liverpool)

Goals – 8

xG – 10.98

Underperformance: -2.98

Diaz can be brilliant at times and has put in some strong performances for Liverpool this season.

However, the Colombian has his critics. Chiefly among the issues that people have are that he holds onto the ball for too long and is wasteful in front of goal. Therefore it's no surprise to see him on this list.

8. Brennan Johnson (Tottenham)

Goals – 5

xG – 8.16

Underperformance: -3.16

Johnson has had a mixed start to life at Tottenham following his £47million transfer from Nottingham Forest.

He has started to justify that huge transfer fee, but being more clinical in front of goal is a must.

7. Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)

Goals – 3

xG – 6.18

Underperformance: -3.18

Chelsea's midfield duo of Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have come under fire this season. Both cost north of £100million and do not look like value for money right now.

Two of these goals he has scored in the Premier League this season came in the same game, including one penalty.

6. Julian Alvarez (Man City)

Goals – 8

xG – 11.43

Underperformance: -3.43

How do you follow up a treble winning season? That's what Man City are learning this season.

Alvarez is having a personal season on par with last, but has been wasteful in front of goal.

5. Erling Haaland (Man City)

Goals – 20

xG – 23.69

Underperformance: -3.69

Haaland was always going to struggle after a record-breaking season in 2022/23. Even though he has 20 league goals, he should be clear in the Golden Boot race by miles.

4. Beto (Everton)

Goals – 3

xG – 6.79

Underperformance: -3.79

It has been a tough season for the striker and very much the symbol of Everton's struggles in front of goal.

3. Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

Goals – 10

xG – 14.39

Underperformance: -4.39

There's plenty to like about Jackson's game, but his finishing is not one of them. Three of these goals came in a game against 10-men Tottenham.

Plenty of doubts remain about whether Jackson is a top-level striker.

2. Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)

Goals – 11

xG – 15.81

Underperformance: -4.81

Nunez can be brilliant one moment and astonishingly frustrating the next. If he was more consistent in front of goal he could be a world beater.

Liverpool will have a decision to make on whether to stick with him or move on.

1. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) 

Goals – 6

xG – 11.29

Underperformance: -5.29

The 27-year-old is only just starting to hit form, with three goals coming in his last four games.

Without those, he would be even further ahead of the field.