Ranking the 5 worst finishers across Europe’s major leagues in 2023/24

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Top European clubs invest heavily to acquire elite goalscorers, recognizing their scarcity and game-changing potential.

Yet, even with thorough scouting and past performance, player confidence can significantly impact outcomes.

In the 2023-24 season, some renowned football stars are notably faltering in converting opportunities.

Here are the season's five poorest finishers in Europe, identified through FBref's expected goals (xG) underperformance statistics.

5. Darwin Nunez

The name you’d have banked the house on featuring in this top five.

Nunez gained notoriety for squandering significant opportunities in his first season at Merseyside. Despite showing progress and becoming a key player for Jurgen Klopp's leading Reds, his tendency to miss chances remains a prominent aspect of his game.

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58 shots. 24 on target. 8.6xG. Five goals were scored. 18 big chances missed

4. Iago Aspas

Iago Aspas has displayed consistent performance across his two stints at Celta Vigo, interrupted by an unremarkable period at Liverpool. Since his return in 2015, Aspas has consistently reached double-digit goals every season, though the 2023-24 campaign has been peculiar and frustrating for him.

Despite his 36 years, Aspas's finishing has been somewhat inconsistent this season, with three goals from 6.7xG. However, he continues to serve as a creative force for Rafael Benitez's Celta Vigo, who are battling relegation. Across Europe's major leagues, only Isco has contributed more key passes.

3. Robert Lewandowski

Barcelona's title defence is facing challenges, and Robert Lewandowski's season isn't going as planned either. The veteran striker has been one of Europe's most consistent goalscorers for over a decade, topping La Liga's scoring charts last season with 23 goals.

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However, Lewandowski's performance this season has been a bit off. Despite attempting 57 shots, only 36% (21) have been on target, resulting in just eight goals from an expected 11.8xG. Nevertheless, only six players across Europe's major leagues have a higher rate of expected goals, indicating that Lewandowski is still finding himself in dangerous scoring positions.

2. Cyle Larin

Mallorca are currently positioned perilously low in the La Liga standings. Larin, with an xG underperformance of -2.5, has struggled to replicate the form he displayed in MLS with Orlando City.

Despite scoring 43 goals in 87 games for Orlando, the Canada international has only managed to find the net twice in the Spanish top flight this season.

1. Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Leading the pack for xG underperformance in Europe's top five leagues this season is the Everton striker. Calvert-Lewin has netted three Premier League goals from 34 shots (15 on target), falling short of his expected goals (xG) tally of 7.6.

This performance comes at a challenging time for Everton, as they currently face a -10 point penalty and potentially more trouble looming on the horizon.