The Most Wasteful Finishers in the Premier League in 2026/27

Missing chances is an unavoidable part of being an attacking player.

The Premier League’s most dangerous forwards frequently appear near the top of the missed-chances rankings because they receive more opportunities than everyone else. A striker who misses 15 big chances but scores 25 goals may still be considerably more effective than a player who rarely gets into scoring positions.

Wastefulness must therefore be judged carefully. Big chances missed provide a useful starting point, but shot conversion, goals compared with expected goals, shot accuracy and the quality of each opportunity also matter.

This ranking combines performances from the opening weeks of 2026/27 with evidence from the completed 2025/26 campaign. The term “wasteful” refers only to finishing efficiency and is not intended as an assessment of a player’s overall quality.

Statistics are correct as of 21 September 2026 and will change as the campaign develops.

The Most Wasteful Premier League Finishers in 2026/27

Evanilson, Bournemouth
Igor Thiago, Brentford
Thierno Barry, Everton
Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United
Charalampos Kostoulas, Brighton & Hove Albion
David Brooks, Bournemouth
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds United
Eddie Nketiah, Crystal Palace
Oliver McBurnie, Hull City
Phil Foden, Manchester City

1. Evanilson, Bournemouth

Evanilson has the strongest overall claim to be considered the Premier League’s most wasteful finisher at the beginning of 2026/27.

The Bournemouth striker missed four big chances during the opening weeks without scoring. His early shot-conversion rate therefore stands at zero.

This continues a concerning pattern from the previous campaign. Evanilson scored six Premier League goals during 2025/26 despite accumulating approximately 10.6 expected goals. His underperformance of around 4.6 goals was among the largest in the division.

He also missed 13 big chances last season and converted fewer than nine per cent of his total attempts.

There is a positive side to those figures. Evanilson continues to reach good scoring positions, which is an essential skill for any centre-forward. Bournemouth’s attacking system is providing him with opportunities, and his movement is placing him in areas from which goals should eventually arrive.

The challenge is converting that movement into reliable output. Evanilson must become more composed when opportunities appear and improve the accuracy of his finishing.

His combination of last season’s substantial underperformance and another inefficient start puts him at the top of the ranking.

2. Igor Thiago, Brentford

Igor Thiago has endured a frustrating opening to the 2026/27 campaign.

The Brentford striker missed four big chances during the early weeks without scoring. His initial conversion rate consequently stands at zero.

Thiago’s ranking requires context because his previous season was far more productive. He scored 22 Premier League goals in 2025/26, finishing as one of the division’s leading forwards.

However, he also missed 19 big chances, the second-highest total in the competition. His high number of goals reflected the quantity and quality of opportunities created for him as well as his overall finishing ability.

Thiago is regularly positioned in the most dangerous parts of the penalty area. His strength and aerial presence allow him to compete with centre-backs, while his movement helps him attack crosses and cutbacks.

That naturally produces both goals and misses. A striker receiving frequent high-value chances will appear prominently in both categories.

His current position is therefore based heavily on his goalless start and four early big chances missed. His record from last season suggests he is capable of recovering quickly once his first goal arrives.

3. Thierno Barry, Everton

Thierno Barry has experienced one of the most inefficient starts among regular Premier League attackers.

The Everton forward missed four big chances in the opening weeks while converting only around seven per cent of his shots.

Barry has generated one of the league’s highest expected-goals totals, which demonstrates that he is finding space and receiving opportunities in dangerous areas. His goal return has not yet matched that underlying performance.

His physical profile makes him a major target for Everton. Barry can compete for direct passes, occupy central defenders and attack crosses into the penalty area.

However, creating an opportunity is only the first part of a striker’s responsibility. Barry must improve his composure, shot placement and speed of execution when chances arrive.

Taking too many touches can allow defenders to recover, while attempting to generate maximum power can reduce accuracy. The best finishers select the appropriate technique for the situation.

Barry scored regularly enough during 2025/26 to demonstrate that he can finish at Premier League level. His current inefficiency should therefore be viewed as a difficult start rather than a permanent judgement.

4. Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United

Bryan Mbeumo has missed four big chances during the opening weeks of 2026/27, putting him level with the current league leaders in that category.

The Manchester United attacker has scored, but his shot-conversion rate of approximately 14 per cent remains below what might be expected from the quality of the chances he has received.

Mbeumo is regularly involved in Man United’s most dangerous attacks. His pace and intelligent movement allow him to run behind defenders, attack the inside channels and arrive centrally after beginning on the right.

That movement creates frequent opportunities, but it also exposes every missed chance to greater scrutiny.

Mbeumo missed 12 big chances during 2025/26 while scoring 11 league goals. Those figures show a player capable of producing valuable output but also leaving a significant number of opportunities unfinished.

His ability to take penalties and strike from distance strengthens his goalscoring record. Improving his conversion of open-play chances would make him considerably more effective.

5. Charalampos Kostoulas, Brighton & Hove Albion

Charalampos Kostoulas has missed four big chances during the opening weeks of the campaign.

The Brighton forward has scored, but his conversion rate of around 11 per cent suggests he has not made the most of his early opportunities.

Kostoulas is still developing and should not be judged too harshly on a small number of matches. Young forwards often require time to adjust to the speed with which Premier League defenders and goalkeepers close down shooting opportunities.

A chance that appears open for a second in another competition may disappear almost immediately in England’s top flight.

Kostoulas’ movement is encouraging because it is already placing him in dangerous positions. The next stage of his development involves recognising the available finish earlier and striking before the opportunity closes.

His early numbers justify inclusion, but his ranking is far more provisional than those of players with substantial evidence across both seasons.

6. David Brooks, Bournemouth

David Brooks was the Premier League’s largest expected-goals underperformer during 2025/26.

The Bournemouth attacker scored only once from approximately 5.8 expected goals. His underperformance of around 4.8 goals was greater than that of any other qualifying player.

Brooks also recorded a shot-conversion rate of barely two per cent and missed 10 big chances. Those figures reflected an extremely difficult season in front of goal.

His technical ability has never been in doubt. Brooks can receive possession between the lines, combine with teammates and create shooting opportunities through intelligent movement.

The problem was converting those opportunities. Some attempts lacked power, others were directed too close to the goalkeeper, and several promising situations ended without an accurate effort.

Brooks’ current position is based mainly on his 2025/26 record rather than leading the new season’s missed-chance table. A stronger start to 2026/27 could quickly move him out of the conversation.

7. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds United

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is one of the most difficult players to assess in a wastefulness ranking.

The Leeds United striker missed 18 big chances during 2025/26, placing him among the leading players in the division. He has already missed another three in the new campaign.

However, Calvert-Lewin has also made a productive scoring start to 2026/27 and currently possesses a conversion rate of around 30 per cent.

His inclusion is therefore primarily about the total number of clear opportunities he has failed to convert rather than his overall current efficiency.

Calvert-Lewin’s movement and aerial ability consistently place him in promising positions. He attacks crosses, competes for second balls and looks to move across the front of defenders.

His ability to create chances through movement is a strength. The high missed-chance total is partly a consequence of receiving a large number of opportunities.

If he maintains his current conversion rate, Calvert-Lewin is likely to fall out of the top 10 as the season progresses.

8. Eddie Nketiah, Crystal Palace

Eddie Nketiah has missed three big chances during the opening weeks without scoring.

The Crystal Palace striker has always demonstrated intelligent penalty-area movement. He attempts to stay close to the centre-backs before making short, sharp runs towards the most dangerous spaces.

That approach can create close-range opportunities, but it also means he is expected to convert at a relatively high rate. Missing chances inside the penalty area is generally more costly than failing to score from speculative long-range attempts.

Nketiah’s finishing can occasionally appear rushed. When an opportunity arrives, he may attempt to shoot immediately even when an additional touch could improve the angle.

There are also moments when the opposite problem occurs and a delayed finish allows the defender or goalkeeper to intervene.

The current sample remains small. Nketiah could transform his early numbers with one clinical performance, but his missed chances and zero conversion rate place him in the provisional ranking.

9. Oliver McBurnie, Hull City

Oliver McBurnie has missed three big chances during Hull City’s opening Premier League fixtures and is yet to score.

The striker provides significant value outside the penalty area. His size and aerial ability allow Hull to play directly, relieve defensive pressure and compete for second balls.

However, his primary responsibility remains scoring goals.

McBurnie’s physical strength helps him reach crosses and establish position against central defenders, but making contact does not always produce an accurate attempt. Headers must be directed away from the goalkeeper rather than simply struck with maximum power.

His early conversion rate stands at zero, although the size of the sample must be considered. One or two goals would substantially alter his position.

For a promoted team, clear opportunities may be relatively limited. That makes efficiency particularly important, as Hull cannot assume another high-quality chance will arrive moments later.

10. Phil Foden, Manchester City

Phil Foden completes the ranking after an unusually inefficient opening to the campaign.

The Manchester City attacker missed three big chances during the early matches and initially recorded a zero per cent conversion rate.

Foden is normally recognised as a precise and technically accomplished finisher. His ability to strike cleanly with his left foot has produced numerous goals from the edge of the penalty area and inside the box.

His inclusion should therefore be understood as a reflection of current form rather than a judgement on his established ability.

Manchester City’s dominance provides Foden with opportunities in advanced areas, but competition for attacking places means inefficient finishing can still affect his playing time.

His technical history suggests that his current drought is unlikely to continue indefinitely. Nevertheless, a ranking based partly on 2026/27 evidence must acknowledge the chances he has failed to convert.

Honourable Mentions

Rayan

Rayan has missed three big chances during the opening weeks without scoring.

His pace and movement are helping him reach dangerous positions, but his final action has not yet matched the quality of his approach play.

Yoane Wissa

Yoane Wissa has missed three big chances while converting around 14 per cent of his attempts.

The Newcastle United attacker’s movement continues to create opportunities, but his early efficiency leaves room for improvement.

Jack Rudoni

Jack Rudoni has missed three big chances and is yet to score.

As a midfielder, he is not expected to convert at the same rate as a specialist striker. However, the quality of the opportunities makes his early return notable.

Kevin Schade

Kevin Schade was one of the largest expected-goals underperformers in 2025/26.

The Brentford attacker scored eight goals from approximately 12 expected goals, leaving him more than four below expectation. He also missed 13 big chances.

His excellent start to 2026/27 keeps him outside the main ranking, demonstrating how quickly a player’s finishing form can change.

Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli scored only once from approximately 4.1 expected goals last season.

His underperformance of more than three goals made him one of the least efficient qualifying attackers in 2025/26. His current role and limited early sample prevent him from ranking higher here.

Amad Diallo

Amad scored twice from approximately 5.5 expected goals during the previous campaign.

His goals-to-xG underperformance placed him among the league’s least efficient finishers, although his wider contribution included dribbling, chance creation and progressive carrying.

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Jean-Philippe Mateta missed 18 big chances during 2025/26.

However, he also scored 12 goals and maintained a conversion rate of approximately 19 per cent. His missed-chance total largely reflected the number of opportunities he received rather than exceptionally poor overall finishing.

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland missed more big chances than any other Premier League player in 2025/26, finishing with 30.

That does not make him the most wasteful finisher. He also scored 27 goals and converted more than 21 per cent of his shots.

Haaland’s presence at the top of the missed-chance rankings is largely a consequence of his exceptional movement and the enormous number of opportunities Manchester City create for him.

What Makes a Finisher Wasteful?

Wasteful finishing can take several forms:

Missing big chances: Failing to convert opportunities with a high expected probability of becoming goals.
Low conversion rate: Scoring with only a small percentage of total attempts.
Underperforming expected goals: Scoring fewer times than the quality of the chances suggests.
Poor shot accuracy: Directing too many attempts away from the target.
Weak placement: Shooting within the goalkeeper’s comfortable reach.
Rushed decisions: Finishing before establishing the correct body position.
Overplaying: Taking an unnecessary touch and allowing the chance to disappear.
Wrong technique: Choosing power when placement is required or attempting a difficult finish when a simpler option exists.
Predictability: Repeatedly directing shots towards the same area.
Limited weak-foot ability: Needing extra time to move the ball onto a preferred side.

Not every miss reflects poor technique. Goalkeepers can produce exceptional saves, defenders can apply pressure and the ball may arrive at an awkward height or angle.

Finishing statistics must always be interpreted within the context of the opportunity.

Why Big Chances Missed Can Be Misleading

The players who miss the most big chances are often among the league’s best strikers.

Haaland led the 2025/26 rankings with 30 big chances missed, but he also scored 27 league goals. His movement repeatedly placed him in positions other forwards could not reach.

A player cannot miss a chance they never create.

Forwards representing dominant teams receive more opportunities, while those playing for struggling sides may take fewer shots across an entire month. The first player could miss more chances while remaining significantly more effective.

The definition of a big chance also contains an element of judgement. Statistical providers may disagree about whether a particular opportunity should be classified as one.

Big-chance totals should therefore be combined with goals, conversion rate, expected goals and minutes played.

The Difference Between Poor Finishing and Poor Shot Selection

A player can be wasteful before the shot is even taken.

Poor shot selection occurs when a player attempts an effort from a difficult position despite having a better option available. A speculative shot from distance may have a very low probability of success.

Poor finishing occurs when the player receives a good opportunity but fails to execute the required technique.

The distinction matters when examining conversion rates. A midfielder taking repeated attempts from outside the box will naturally score with a lower percentage than a striker shooting from close range.

Expected goals helps account for this difference by assigning each attempt a value based on the quality of the opportunity.

Evanilson’s underperformance is particularly notable because he has received enough good chances to generate a substantial expected-goals total. The issue is not simply that he has attempted too many difficult shots.

Why Expected-Goals Underperformance Matters

Expected goals estimates how many times an average player would score from a particular collection of chances.

If a player generates 10 expected goals but scores six, they have underperformed by four. This can indicate inefficient finishing, although short-term variance must also be considered.

A shot can strike the post, be cleared from the line or produce an outstanding save. Over a small number of attempts, these events can create a large statistical difference.

The most concerning underperformance is sustained across many matches and a substantial number of shots.

Brooks, Evanilson and Schade finished significantly below expectation during 2025/26. Schade’s strong start to the new campaign demonstrates that previous underperformance does not guarantee future failure.

Finishing can change through confidence, technique, tactical role and the quality of opportunities received.

Why a Zero Conversion Rate Requires Context

Several players in the current rankings have a conversion rate of zero, but the season is still in its opening weeks.

A player who has taken only three or four shots can move from zero to 25 per cent with one goal. Their ranking can therefore change immediately.

A zero rate becomes more meaningful when attached to a larger number of attempts and several missed big chances.

Evanilson and Igor Thiago are prominent because they have each missed four big chances without scoring. Nketiah, McBurnie and Foden have missed three.

Even then, the early sample remains too small to determine their expected performance across the entire campaign.

Can Wasteful Finishing Be a Positive Sign?

Missing chances can indicate that a player is performing several important parts of their role correctly.

A striker must anticipate where the ball will arrive, escape their marker and move into a position from which a shot is possible. Consistently reaching those areas is a valuable skill.

A forward who generates 20 major opportunities is more likely to score regularly than one who receives only five, even if the first player misses more chances.

Managers are often more concerned when a striker stops receiving opportunities altogether. A temporary finishing drought can end quickly, but an absence of chances may indicate a deeper problem with movement or team structure.

Evanilson, Thiago and Barry can therefore take encouragement from the number of opportunities they are generating. Their challenge is adding greater composure and accuracy.

Why Previous-Season Data Matters

A few matches are not enough to identify the league’s least efficient finishers reliably.

One goal can dramatically change an early conversion rate, while a single match containing several missed chances can send a player to the top of the rankings.

The completed 2025/26 season provides a more dependable sample.

Brooks produced the league’s largest goals-to-xG underperformance, with Evanilson and Schade also finishing more than four goals below expectation. Thiago, Calvert-Lewin and Haaland recorded some of the highest totals for big chances missed.

The early 2026/27 data can then reveal whether those patterns are continuing.

Evanilson and Thiago have made inefficient starts, while Schade has responded to last season’s underperformance with a much more clinical opening.

Who Is the Most Wasteful Finisher in the Premier League in 2026/27?

Evanilson is currently the strongest overall candidate.

He has missed four big chances without scoring during the opening weeks of the campaign. That follows a 2025/26 season in which he scored six goals from approximately 10.6 expected goals and missed 13 big chances.

Igor Thiago has also missed four major opportunities without scoring, but his 22 goals last season provide stronger evidence of established finishing ability.

Barry, Mbeumo and Kostoulas complete the group with four big chances missed during the current campaign.

The ranking remains provisional. A productive run of two or three matches could quickly transform the numbers and remove any of these players from the conversation.

Final Thoughts

The Premier League’s most wasteful finishers demonstrate why missed chances require context.

Evanilson and Brooks have produced substantial underperformance over a meaningful sample, while Thiago and Calvert-Lewin have combined high missed-chance totals with far more productive scoring records.

Barry, Kostoulas, Nketiah and McBurnie remain difficult to judge because the new season is still young. Their early numbers are concerning, but not yet definitive.

Mbeumo’s inclusion reflects the quality of chances he has failed to convert, while Foden’s position is best understood as an unusual spell of finishing form rather than evidence that he lacks technique.

The most important positive is that these players are receiving opportunities. Wasteful finishing can be improved, but only players with effective movement and attacking awareness consistently reach positions from which chances can be missed.