Ez Abde has ended the 2024–25 campaign with an unenviable distinction as the most inefficient finisher across Europe’s top five leagues, according to data compiled by analytics firm DataMB.
The Moroccan international, who plies his trade at Real Betis, has recorded a league-worst -6.4 differential between expected goals (xG) and actual goals scored.
With one La Liga fixture remaining, Abde has consistently failed to capitalise on high-quality chances throughout the season—making him statistically the least clinical forward among players in Europe’s elite divisions.
Abde’s struggles in front of goal place him ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké (-5.6) and West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus (-5.4) in the ranking.
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal (-5.0) and Atalanta’s Croatian midfielder Mario Pašalić (-4.8) also feature among the top underperformers, along with Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, both also registering a -4.8 gap.
🇲🇦 -6.4 — Abde Ezzalzouli
🇫🇷 -5.6 — Hugo Ekitiké
🇬🇭 -5.4 — Mohammed Kudus
🇪🇸 -5.0 — Lamine Yamal
🇭🇷 -4.8 — Mario Pašalić
🇸🇳 -4.8 — Nico Jackson
🏴 -4.8 — Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Despite these underwhelming league numbers, Abde has demonstrated flashes of his attacking potential in European competition.
The 23-year-old has played 47 matches this season across all tournaments, starting 31 of them and contributing eight goals along with five assists.
Most notably, Abde was decisive in the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals, scoring in both legs against Fiorentina—including a high-pressure away goal in extra time.
His resurgence in continental play has helped Betis secure a place in the final, where they will face Chelsea on May 28.
That match offers Abde a timely opportunity to silence critics and deliver on his much-discussed potential.
Still, his domestic shortcomings remain a concern.
With 23 caps and two goals for Morocco, Abde’s inconsistency in converting chances could influence both club and country’s future planning.
While his pace and flair on the wing have never been in question, his finishing continues to draw scrutiny.
As the curtain falls on the European season, all eyes will be on whether the Beni Mellal-born winger can finally deliver on the big stage—or whether his label as the continent’s most wasteful finisher will linger into the summer.
