It's no wonder that top European sides spend serious money when it comes to signing top goalscorers – elite-level finishers are few and far between and can make all the difference.
However, sometimes the scouting or previous form can mean little when a player's confidence is gone. Some of the biggest names in football are among those struggling to convert chances in 2023-24 so far.
Here are the top 10 worst finishers across Europe this season, based on expected goals (xG) underperformance stats from FBref.
10: Youssouf Fofana
Fofana has not been in great shooting form this season with Ligue 1 side Monaco, with an xG underperformance of -2.2.
In a recent 2-1 victory over Metz, Fofana managed four shots but none of them were on target. He's only scored two goals in his entire career at Monaco, so maybe it's unfair to expect more from the Frenchman.
9: Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez moved to Chelsea last summer for hefty fee of over £100million as one of Todd Boehly's main signings. Admittedly it's unfair to judge the midfielder's game on goals, although he's racked up considerable xG – and an underperformance of -2.3 as he awaits opening his Premier League account.
Last season Fernandez had 20 shots but only three were on target.
An issue endemic at Chelsea, it seems.
8: Ousmane Dembele
Despite a €105million move to Barcelona in 2017 and being hailed at one point as Lionel Messi's replacement, Dembele has shown flashes of quality over the years but has never quite realised his potential on a consistent basis.
Since moving to PSG this summer for half of that transfer fee, Dembele is yet to score a goal in any competition this season. His xG underperformance in Ligue 1 is -2.3, while he was guilty of wasting a golden opportunity in PSG's 4-1 defeat away to Newcastle.
7: Ianis Hagi
Alaves have struggled for goals this season in La Liga, notching just 10 so far. Hagi has struggled to take his chances with an xG underperformance of -2.4.
The Romanian, who is on loan from Rangers, has failed to score so far this season. His time at the Basque side couldn't have got off to a worse start, having missed a penalty on his debut vs Almeria.
6: Cyle Larin
Mallorca find themselves just outside the relegation zone in La Liga, sitting dangerously in 17th. Larin has an xG underperformance of -2.5 and he's yet to find the same form he found in MLS with Orlando City.
The Canada international scored 43 times in 87 games for Orlando but so far has failed to hit the net for Mallorca in La Liga, with his only goal for his new club coming in a Copa del Rey win over minnows Boiro.
5: Marcus Rashford
Injuries and a lack of consistency have halted Rashford's progress at times at United and this season has been no different with his xG underperformance being -2.6. One goal in 10 games is a poor return in comparison to the 17 in 35 last season.
Missed chances against Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion especially have shown that he hasn't been at his sharpest this season with Rashford attempting nine shots vs Brighton and only having two of those on target. Out of his 34 shots this season, only seven have been on target.
4: Jeremy Le Douaron
Despite being sixth in Ligue 1 this season, Brest have one of the most wasteful players on the continent in Le Douaron with an xG underperformance of -3.2. Le Douaron only has one league goal this season, with 10 out of his 28 shots on target.
3: Rodrygo
Real Madrid find themselves trailing Girona by two points at the top of La Liga this season. Rodrygo has been unable to find his previous form for Los Blancos with his xG underperformance being -3.2.
In a 2-1 win over Getafe, Rodrygo managed nine shots but only one was on target. He was equally as wasteful vs Atletico Madrid, with none of his four shots being on target. He has the joint lowest percentage of any player in Europe for shots on target with 25%.
2: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Since leaving Arsenal, things have never been quite the same for Aubameyang. Moves to Barcelona and Chelsea were short-lived and now the Gabonese forward finds himself at Marseille with an xG underperformance of -3.5.
One goal in 10 games in Ligue 1 this season has been a poor return and Marseille find themselves languishing in mid-table again. Only seven out of his 28 shots have been on target.
1: Iago Aspas
Iago Aspas has been fairly consistent at his two spells at Celta via an inauspicious move to Liverpool in between. Since returning back in 2015, Aspas has scored double figures in every season but has had a disastrous start to 2023-24, failing to score in 12 games with an xG underperformance of -3.8.
In a game vs Sevilla, Aspas threw the VAR monitor to the ground after a penalty decision was overturned at the end of the game. Rafael Benitez's Celta find themselves in the relegation zone in La Liga and have only managed to win one game all season.