Nicolas Jackson, Darwin Nunez and even Erling Haaland have all been named among the biggest underperformers in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea and Liverpool forwards Jackson and Nunez have been particularly criticized in recent weeks for missing major opportunities.
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And it even cost them important moments in crucial matches. Just think about where Chelsea could be in the table? Or if Liverpool would currently be leading the championship?
Haaland may have 20 Premier League goals this season, but his performances have been lower than what we saw from him last season. He has wasted an incredible 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 calculated using their xG (expected goals) versus the amount they have actually scored.
10. Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford)
Objectives – 3
xG-5.66
Underperformance: -2.66
Lewis-Potter scored his first Premier League goal in December, but the stats show he could have done more.
Thomas Frank has used him all over the court this season, and often on the bench. There is certainly more to come from the 23-year-old.
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9. Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
Objectives – 8
xG – 10.98
Underperformance: -2.98
Diaz can be brilliant at times and has put in some solid performances for Liverpool this season.
However, the Colombian has his critics. Some of the main problems people have are him holding the ball too long and being wasteful in front of goal. So it’s no surprise to see him on this list.
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8. Brennan Johnson (Tottenham)
Objectives – 5
xG-8.16
Underperformance: -3.16
Johnson has had a mixed start to life at Tottenham following his £47million move from Nottingham Forest.
He has started to justify the huge transfer fee, but there is a need to be more clinical in front of goal.
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7. Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
Objectives – 3
xG-6.18
Underperformance: -3.18
Chelsea’s midfield duo of Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have been criticized this season. Both cost north of £100 million and don’t appear to offer good value for money at the moment.
Two of those goals he has scored in the Premier League this season have come in the same match, including a penalty.
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6. Julian Alvarez (Man City)
Objectives – 8
xG-11.43
Underperformance: -3.43
How to follow a triple season? This is what Man City are learning this season.
Alvarez is having a personal season comparable to the previous one, but has been wasteful in front of goal.
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5. Erling Haaland (Man City)
Objectives – 20
xG – 23.69
Underperformance: -3.69
Haaland was always going to struggle after a record-breaking season in 2022/23. Even if he has 20 league goals, he should be clear in the race for the Golden Boot.
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4. Beto (Everton)
Objectives – 3
xG – 6.79
Underperformance: -3.79
It has been a difficult season for the striker and the symbol of Everton’s struggles in front of goal.
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3. Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)
Objectives – 10
xG-14.39
Underperformance: -4.39
There are a lot of things to like about Jackson’s game, but his finishing isn’t one of them. Three of those goals came in a match against 10-man Tottenham.
Many doubts remain as to whether Jackson is a top-level striker.
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2. Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Objectives – 11
xG – 15.81
Underperformance: -4.81
Nunez can be brilliant one moment and surprisingly frustrating the next. If he was more consistent in front of goal, he could become a world beater.
Liverpool will have to decide whether to stay with him or move on.
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1. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Objectives – 6
xG-11.29
Underperformance: -5.29
The 27-year-old is just starting to hit his form, with three goals scored in his last four games.
Without it, he would be even further ahead of the pack.
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