Nicolas Jackson > Darwin Nunez and that is official: PL worst finishers list

Ian Watson 20 May 2024 10:05 AM

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Darwin Nunez and Nicolas Jackson

Here are the top 10 players who were owned by their xG through the 2023/24 Premier League season. Darwin Nunez’s numbers are quite something.

These are the Premier League stars whose goals tally lags their xG most. For the less fun list of players outstripping their xG numbers, go here.

1) Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton): -5.8
Expected goals: 12.8
Actual goals: 7

He finally scored after 23 goalless games, but a penalty conversion barely moved the dial here. Another goal followed v Burnley and then against Liverpool as his season finally kicked back into life. Another penalty conversion v Luton made no real difference here.

2) Brennan Johnson (Tottenham): -5.3
Expected goals: 10.3
Actual goals: 5

Made some telling contributions for Spurs as the season reached business time, but he also missed some gobbers. He’s still wondering how he didn’t score v Burnley.

3) Darwin Nunez (Liverpool): -5.3
Expected goals: 16.3
Actual goals: 11

Had five off-target shots v Manchester United, which just about sums up his season. Nobody in the Premier League takes more shots. Nobody in the Premier League misses more chances. He was dire v Everton again and lost his place for games v West Ham and Tottenham, but still managed to emerge from the bench for a wasteful cameo.

4) Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea): -4.6
Expected goals: 18.6
Actual goals: 14

Four goals in his last five games have helped to propel Chelsea into a European qualification position. He’s quite a lot better than Darwin Nunez.

5) Luis Diaz (Liverpool): -4.0
Expected goals: 12.0
Actual goals: 8

Scores with only 8.5% of his shots. Which probably means he’s taking the wrong shots.

6) Beto (Everton): -3.8
Expected goals: 6.8
Actual goals: 3

Had five shots v Chelsea. Everton really do need to bring in a goalscorer this summer because they have a couple of nuggets here.

7) Mo Salah (Liverpool): -3.4
Expected goals: 21.4
Actual goals: 18

Seven shots without scoring against Wolves was a fine way to end the season.

8) Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford): -3.3
Expected goals: 6.3
Actual goals: 3

Scored v Luton Town but pretty much anybody can score v Luton Town these days.

9) Enzo Fernández (Chelsea): -3.2
Expected goals: 6.2
Actual goals: 3

Not quite getting the hang of this £100m footballer lark.

10) Joao Pedro (Brighton): -2.9
Expected goals: 11.9
Actual goals: 9

A 20-goal season could perhaps have been even better with a little more finesse.