The TOP FIVE Worst Finishers In European Football (Based On Their xG Stats)

David Tully

1 year ago

Categories: Galleries, West Ham United News

Tags: Arsenal, aston villa, Celtic, Chelsea, Everton, Leeds, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Rangers, Sheffield United, Southampton, Spurs, West Ham, Wolves

With most leagues in Europe reaching the halfway stage of the season, we felt it was a good time to look at the players who have the worst finishing stats.

For this list, we will be assessing footballers playing in Europe’s top five leagues (England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain).

To get our top five, we will be comparing the number of goals a player has actually scored and subtracting their xG to see who is failing to put away their chances

Press the next page as we count down the worst finishers in European football (based on info from Opta via FBRef).

5) Danny Welbeck – Brighton (-3.0 Goals)

The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has never been known for his finishing. He does, however, possess an excellent work ethic which means he remains an important player for the Seagulls.

This season, Welbeck has not scored in the Premier League but the xG he has accumulated suggests he should have hit the back of the net on at least three occasions.

4) Gerard Deulofeu – Udinese (-3.1 Goals)

The ex-Watford player has been a regular starter for his club in Italy, who have been performing above expectations this season under the management of Andrea Sottil.

However, Deulofeu hasn’t really been helping the cause with his wayward finishing. He may have scored twice in Serie A but he should have bagged a fair few more.

=2) Kevin Lasagna – Verona (-3.3 Goals)

Certainly not a household name outside of Italy but he has been capped seven times by his country since making his first international appearance back in 2018.

Since moving to Verona (initially on loan), Lasagna has struggled to score, and his one league goal demonstrates a player who is fluffing his lines.

=2) Tammy Abraham – Roma (-3.3 Goals)

To say that the former Chelsea forward is streaky in front of goal would be an understatement. He scored 27 times in all competitions during his first season in Italy but he can’t hit a barn door at the moment.

Abraham has bagged just three goals in his 15 league appearances so far this campaign. He is underperforming by a significant margin.

1) Patrick Bamford – Leeds (-4.1 Goals)

Like Abraham, the Leeds number nine is known for his barren spells in front of goal, and he is really struggling to hit the target at the moment.

Injuries have played their part in Bamford’s current struggles but you can’t really excuse some of his errant shooting which makes him currently the worst finisher in Europe’s top leagues.