5 of the worst strikers in La Liga this season

#1 Emmanuel Boateng

Emmanuel Boateng is yet to repay Levante's investment

It is no small thing for a newly promoted club to spend €2 million on a striker. Emmanuel Boateng became the second most expensive signing in Levante’s history when he joined from Portuguese side Moreirense last summer but has not yet provided what was hoped of him.

From pre-season onwards, there have been questions about his ability to adapt to Spanish football. His appearances have been limited, and coach Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz indicated last month that he is still reluctant to risk playing him, as he feels the Ghanian isn’t yet capable of providing the work-rate and tactical work he expects from his players.

Boateng is yet to score in 304 minutes of league action, while he has netted just once in 314 minutes, including three starts, in the Copa del Rey.

Levante are not an easy team in which to score. They’ve netted less than a goal per match in league play so far this season, and it wasn’t until Boateng’s goal in the 2-0 win away to Girona in the Copa del Rey in late October than one of their strikers found the back of the net.

But it says a lot that the club are so keen to bring in another striker this month as they seek to arrest a downward slide that has seen them win just once in their last 13 league matches.