06 March 2024 , 08:13
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He might be the most prolific marksman in the world, but Erling Haaland is also the man who misses more big chances than any other striker.
Fans usually associate Haaland with ruthless efficiency, which led to him smashing numerous records last season in front of goal. The stats, though, show that the Manchester City strike also spurns more opportunities than any forward in the Premier League, at least this season.
There was a gasp and a sense of shock when Haaland, facing a near open goal in Sunday's Manchester derby, managed to steer the ball over the bar when it seemed harder to miss. That was one of 26 big chances the Norwegian has missed this season, putting him top of an unwanted list.
However, it is worth considering that strikers for top clubs often get more chances than those lower down the league. You can't score them all, so those that miss plenty of chances are also often the men towards the top of the goalscoring charts, as is demonstrated by the numbers.
Darwin Nunez is the second most wasteful striker in the league. The Liverpool star, who scored a winner in the ninth minute of added time at the weekend, has scored 14 times this term but missed 21 big chances. Unlike Haaland, who is associated with clinical finished, Nunez has copped criticism for his lack of composure.
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Joe Cole said earlier this season: "He gets an A* in every part of his game, and his performance tonight was also fantastic but his finishing is a C at the moment - but that’s something he can work on."
Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa's leading light who is on course to post career-best figures, is the third most wasteful forward having spurned 18 major opportunities. Despite that he's scored 16 times in the league as the Midlands outfit look to qualify for the Champions League.
Ollie Watkins has missed several big chances this termOne team who won't be doing that is Chelsea, with their striker issues well documented. Christopher Nkunku has been injured for long periods and Nicolas Jackson, who was signed in the summer from Villarreal, has struggled to consistently produce at Stamford Bridge.
The Senegal forward was notched eight times in the league but he's missed 15 major chances alongside that. Alan Shearer said earlier this season: "He looks very raw and at times unsure what to do. You’ve got to make defenders work. Goalscorers don’t hang around on the edge of the box like he does. It’s his job to get on the end of it.”
Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund is another man to miss a number of good chances, 12 in fact. The Dane struggled to find the net for months after moving to Old Trafford from Atalanta. He's since gone on a purple patch and did score regularly in the Champions League to prove his worth.
Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Newcastle's Alexander Isak - like Hojlund - have also missed 12 big opportunities in front of goal. Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke, who is finally coming good and enjoying his best top flight year, is another culprit when it comes to big chances missed.
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