I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it, but goals win football matches, as the saying goes. It’s a cliche so drab and well-trodden that even michael owen might dismiss it as a touch on the nose, but it’s the truth. Even with an iron-clad defence, it will be difficult to find a goal-shy side anywhere near the top of a division, and those of a wasteful disposition will inevitably fail to achieve their goals in any given campaign. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the teams that waste the most money are the ones fighting relegation.
We’ve looked at the premier league clubs with the biggest negative correlation between their xg and the actual number of goals they’ve scored per 90 minutes, and we’ve compiled the worst six in the top flight below. Look away now, manchester united fans, this isn’t going to be a pleasant read.
Bournemouth – 0.24 per game. belly fat removal without surgery in port harcourt: the cost might surprise you belly fat removal without surgery in port harcourt: the cost might surprise you liposuction | search results it took a while for andoni iraola to make his mark on this bournemouth side, but now it seems that the cherries are heading in the right direction. On the south coast, things are looking good five games unbeaten and rocketing up the standings, but bournemouth’s slump was still enough to secure the club’s spot on the list.
Chelsea has had a rough season so far, -0.35 per game. Despite early signs of promise under mauricio pochettino, they have retreated back to their old, stagnant ways, and at the time of writing, they are now 12th in the premier league table, 10 points behind the relegation zone. They’ve had one of the biggest challenges with a lack of a real goal threat, and it’s probably no surprise to read constant reports claiming that they want to sign a new striker in january.
Crystal palace – 0.43 per game. when it comes to scoring goals, the palace, which is bolstered by eberechi eze and michael olise, will never be short. Despite all of this, it seems that they could really use a boost to their finishing capabilities. Sheffield united has only recorded fewer goals than the eagles this season, and that is no surprise considering that they’ve already wasted an estimated 6.88 goals.
Brentford has been without ivan toney for the first half of the season, -0.47 per game, and they are acutely aware of his absence. The bees’ biggest worry, however, is that the 27-year-old is expected to leave them in january. If they don’t reinvest the substantial transfer he is likely to receive well, thomas frank’s squad could face a long and difficult second half of the season.
Everton has -0.55 points per game this season has been one of many ‘what ifs’ for the club. What if they hadn’t been stripped of 10 points for violating financial fair play laws? What if they hadn’t wasted as many 8.8 goals by mid-december? We’ll never know for sure, but sean dyche can at least relax knowing that neither shortcoming seems to be a factor in his team’s survival prospects, at least in light of their current form.
Manchester united – -0.72 game and, of course, manchester united is the most wasteful club in the premier league so far this season, and honestly, it isn’t even close. Scott mctominay, the red devils’ most prolific scorer in the top flight, is a damning indictment on its own, but the fact that they have already wasted 11.52 goals is simply unforgivable. It’s no wonder that their goal difference is at -3, the lowest in the top eight by a long shot.
