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We're halfway through the 2021-22 season and things are starting to get interesting across all of Europe's top five leagues. There has been no shortage of twists, turns, excitement or entertainment this season. Some of the superstars of the footballing world have been in spectacular form in the ongoing campaign.
In football, at the highest level, it is always important to make the most of the chances available. The difference in quality of players in Europe's top 5 leagues is quite often marginal. That is why teams need players who are sharp and clinical when presented with opportunities.
Some of Europe's top strikers have been in great goalscoring form this term. The more chances a side creates, the more likely their strikers are to score. While some players can get away with missing some big chances because it is not in short supply, that luxury is not available to everyone.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at the five players with most big chances missed in Europe's top five leagues so far this season.
(Stats correct as of January 8th).
#5 Tammy Abraham (AS Roma) - 12 big chances missed
AS Roma signed Tammy Abraham from Chelsea this past summer for a fee of €40 million. New manager Jose Mourinho hasn't exactly been able to turn the Serie A outfit's fortunes around just yet. They sit sixth in the league table, six points adrift of fifth-placed Juventus.
But one good thing about their season so far is the fact that Mourinho seems to be turning Abraham into a belligerent number 9. After struggling for the first couple of months of the new season, the 24-year-old has now kicked into life and has been a menacing presence in the final third for Roma.
He has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 20 Serie A appearances so far this season. But Abraham is also guilty of missing 12 big chances. That's something he will want to weed out of his game as those missed opportunities could cost Roma dearly in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
#4 Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) - 12 big chances missed
Erling Haaland's sublime goalscoring form is obviously the only thing most of us hear with respect to Borussia Dortmund these days. It's rather unfortunate that the contributions of the legendary Marco Reus are getting overshadowed by the Norwegian's exploits. But Reus would definitely not mind.
The 32-year-old has been in good form too, operating as an attacking midfielder behind Haaland. He has scored eight goals and provided 10 assists in 26 appearances across all competitions for Borussia Dortmund this term.
However, Reus is also guilty of missing 12 big chances this season. But he has also played some wonderful football for the Bundesliga outfit and they aren't exactly lacking in the goalscoring department. So it's almost excusable but Reus would certainly want to be sharper in front of goal.
#3 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 12 big chances missed
When you get into goalscoring positions as regularly as Mohamed Salah does, you're bound to miss a few. Salah is one of the most in-form footballers on the planet and has been absolutely tearing it up for Liverpool in the Premier League.
The Egyptian international has scored 16 goals and provided nine assists in 20 Premier League appearances so far this term. His blistering pace, close control, powerful and precise shooting have been crucial to Liverpool's early-season form.
Salah is guilty of missing 12 big chances in the Premier League already this season. But we doubt you'd hear Liverpool fans complaining about it given how many spectacular goals the 29-year-old has already scored this term.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 14 big chances missed
Kylian Mbappe is yet another player who has been in sublime form this season. He has been Paris Saint-Germain's standout performer so far. The likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar haven't been at their best but it's business as usual when it comes to Mbappe.
The 23-year-old, whose future remains undecided, has not let all the speculation get to him. He has fought for PSG's cause with all his heart. In 18 Ligue 1 appearances, Mbappe has scored nine goals and provided eight assists so far this season.
The only criticism that has been tabled against Mbappe is that he could be a little more clinical in front of goal. After all, the Frenchman has missed 14 big chances this season. If he can minimize the wastage, Mbappe will be unstoppable.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 16 big chances missed
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has scored 20 goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances this season. The 33-year-old is the most prolific goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues and is arguably the best striker of the modern era.
Lewandowski is one of the most well-rounded centre-forwards of all time. He can shoot with both feet and is also excellent at aerial duels. The Polish international is usually very calm in front of goal. But he is guilty of fluffing his lines every now and then.
It's hard to complain when a player has scored goals at a rate of more than one per game but Lewandowski has missed a whopping 16 big chances this term. Forget everyone else, the striker himself is not going to be very pleased with that.
