They say a week is a long time in football, so by that logic three months is practically an eternity. That’s certainly the case for these ten players, who all started the season either out of form or out of the team.
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10) Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
The 23-year-old played just one Arsenal game prior to November. A culmination of injuries forced Arsene Wenger’s hand prior to the January transfer window and Coquelin impressed to the extent that no new defensive midfielder was signed. His incredible rise has continued ever since.
9) Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
The Belgian made an unconvincing start to the season after turning his loan move from Chelsea into a permanent one. Thankfully for Everton, he’s been far more convincing since the turn of the year, scoring 11 goals in all competitions.
8) Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
Villa desperately needed someone to step up if they were going to avoid relegation and their long-serving forward did just that. His three goals in March might not seem like a lot but considering Villa’s problems in goal so far this season, it’s practically as good as double figures.
7) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
The United captain cut a frustrated figure during the first-half of the season, often forced to play in midfield rather than up front. Thankfully for the Old Trafford faithful, Louis van Gaal has finally seen sense – six goals in eight games his reward.
6) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
The Frenchman missed almost the entire first-half of the season through injury. Since his return, he’s proved why he was such a big miss. His nine goals in the last nine games in all competitions have fired the Gunners into second place in the Premier League.
5) Emre Can (Liverpool)
A bit-part player in the first-half of the season and already being noted as yet another Liverpool transfer flop. However, the introduction of a 3-4-3 formation gave him the opportunity to shine. His inclusion on the right of a back through proved inspired and he hasn’t looked back since.
4) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Scored most of his early goals this season in the cup competitions. Any doubts that he could not produce in the big games has been well and truly squashed since the turn of the year. He’s scored 14 times for Tottenham, as well as once for England on debut.
3) Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
Was just one of a number of Liverpool players under-performing during the first-half of the season. Since January, he has firmly established himself as Steven Gerrard’s successor as club captain and inspired a number of victories with match-winning performances.
2) Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United)
The butt-end of everybody’s jokes last season but a key player this. His rise has been steadily building throughout the season and in the last couple of months he’s established himself as an integral part of Louis van Gaal’s side. A couple of big goals as well.
1) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Another player who’s been the subject of his fair share of criticism. The German has been in fine form since January though, emphasised by his fine performance against Liverpool at the weekend – his free-kick to make it 2-0 the sign of someone whose confidence has been fully restored.