This season has seen a plethora of top talent from the Premier League improve tremendously from the 2013-14 campaign. Harry Kane has stunned England with his prolific goalscoring form, while a number of players have silenced their critics through their outstanding performances.
Take a look below at our top 20 most improved Premier League players from the 2014-15 season…
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20. Stewart Downing, West Ham
The former Liverpool midfielder looked to have finally found his feet after a miserable two seasons at Anfield. The 30-year-old played a starring role in the Hammers’ superb start to the campaign, registering eight assists and scoring six goals.
19. Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace
The winger possessed similar qualities to former Old Trafford star Cristiano Ronaldo, but unlike the Portuguese superstar, Zaha was heavily criticised for his lack of end product. Having now turned his back on Manchester United and returned to Selhurst Park, the 22-year-old seems to have made the right choice for his development, as his confidence is returning to his game.
18. Lukas Fabianski, Swansea City
The Polish stopper has gone largely unnoticed since swapping the Emirates for the Liberty Stadium in the summer, but has cemented himself as the Swans’ first choice in an impressive season for the Welsh football club. Only Golden Glove winner Joe Hart (14) has more clean sheets than Fabianski (13).
17. Hector Bellerin, Arsenal
Right-back could have been a serious problem for Arsene Wenger when Mathieu Debucy was ruled out for three months in January. With Carl Jenkinson on loan at West Ham and Calum Chambers struggling for form and fitness, Bellerin had to step up to first-team action, and was thrown into the deep end with his first appearance coming in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund. His debut was a miserable 2-0 defeat, but the young defender has gone on to prove that he can provide more than back up, developing tremendously over the season. His emergence could mark the end of Carl Jenkinson’s career in North London.
He’s not bad in front of goal, either…
16. Juan Mata, Manchester United
His departure from Chelsea two seasons ago looked to have had a negative impact on the confidence of the former Stamford Bridge favourite, which was telling in his first season at Old Trafford. The Spanish playmaker’s first half of this campaign was similarly far from exciting, but he has been in inspired form since the turn of the year. His highlight of the season? This acrobatic strike versus Liverpool…
15. Nacho Monreal, Arsenal
The Gunners left-back looks to have settled into defence at the Emirates since joining last January. Not only does he play with confidence, but with intelligence – knowing when to make a run and when to hold his position.
14. Ryan Bertrand, Southampton
During the young left-back’s time with Chelsea, few could doubt that Bertrand had the ability to become a great in his position. Despite his Stamford Bridge career not going as planned, the 25-year-old has proved that he deserves consistent first-team football, and has been a regular for Ronald Koeman in an excellent season for the Saints.
13. Nacer Chadli, Tottenham
The Belgian midfielder has been excellent this season at White Hart Lane – scoring 10 goals and registering five assists – following a rather unforgettable first season in North London. Despite the tragic death of his father mid-way through the campaign, Chadli has been one of the most reliable performers for Mauricio Pochettino.
12. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
While the former Arsenal captain’s career has been filled with trophies since leaving the Emirates four years ago, it’s easy to forget that his final season at the Camp Nou before arriving at Stamford Bridge was difficult for the Spaniard, as he spent much of his time on the substitutes bench. The playmaker, however, has returned almost with a point to prove in England – and winning the Premier League is little more than his performances have deserved. He has had more touches (3,151), more assists (17) and more successful passes (2,186) than any other player in England’s top flight.
11. Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton
The Saints have far exceeded expectations this season, and much of their success is attributed to the balance that Ronaldo Koeman has created in the side. Clyne has been a standout performer for Southampton; he boasts a success rate of 46% from 70 tackles, has made 61 interceptions, 95 clearances and six blocks. The club will be desperate he commits to a new deal at the St Mary’s Stadium.
10. Ashley Young, Manchester United
The 29-year-old never really found his feet under Sir Alex Ferguson, but it has been a different story with Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman seems to be getting the best out of the winger, and if his fine form continues next season, Roy Hodgson will be tempted into recalling him to the England squad.
9. Francis Coquelin, Arsenal
The defensive midfielder spent the first half of the season on loan with Championship outfit Charlton Athletic, but an injury crisis at the Emirates forced Arsene Wenger to recall the Frenchman. The 24-year-old has been a revelation, providing much needed balance to the Gunners midfield.
8. Chris Smalling, Manchester United
Often played out of position at right-back, he has struggled to cement a place in the first-team during his early career with United. Louis van Gaal, however, looks keen for the England international to settle into his preferred role at centre-back, and he has had an excellent season, as a result. His performances earned himself a new contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2019.
7. David De Gea, Manchester United
Last season, the Spaniard was the star performer under David Moyes but, incredibly, he has reached new heights in Louis van Gaal’s first campaign at Old Trafford. Without the stopper, the Red Devils would surely have missed out on a position in the top four. Attention now turns to whether United can keep him out of Real Madrid’s grasp.
6. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
While the Belgium winger has been superb since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2012, his performances in his first two seasons left supporters wanting more. This campaign, however, he has started to deliver when it really matters. Goals against Manchester United and Liverpool, along with the winning strike at Crystal Palace were crucial in sealing the Premier League title for the Blues.
5. Jordan Henderson, Liverpool
Liverpool’s miserable end to the season has overshadowed the excellent campaign that Jordan Henderson has largely enjoyed. It’s likely that Brendan Rodgers will hand the England international the captain’s armband following Steven Gerrard’s departure. The midfielder has improved across all areas this term – goals, assists and tackles – and his stunning strike versus Manchester City suggests that he possesses the attributes to become the Reds’ new talisman.
4. Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
The German playmaker has been heavily criticised by the English press since moving to the Emirates, but it’s no coincidence that the criticism has dwindled in the second half of the season. Ozil has struggled for fitness, and thus confidence, but he has been outstanding for Arsene Wenger since returning from injury. Perhaps the injury was a blessing in disguise – providing a much needed rest. Nonetheless, while there is much more to football than statistics, increased impact in front of goal will be his next step. Far more than four goals and five assists in the league is expected.
3. Aaron Cresswell, West Ham
Last season the left-back was playing in the Championship for Ipswich Town, now he is playing regularly in the Premier League, despite no top flight experience prior to his move. At 25-years-old, it’s a shame that he didn’t play at this level earlier in his career, but after being voted West Ham’s Player of the Year in his first season, he could still be set for a big-money move.
2. Marouane Fellaini, Manchester United
There’s no doubt that the Belgium international is the most improved player under new manager Louis van Gaal following a dreadful debut season at Old Trafford. Poor performances in David Moyes’ reign were blamed upon the midfielder, but he has proved to be a key player for Manchester United in their return to the top four. Goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have helped silence his critics.
1. Harry Kane, Tottenham
The only fact more astonishing than Kane’s first start for Spurs coming in November is that he has won an astonishing 24 points for his club. Without the 21-year-old, Tottenham would have been facing a relegation battle throughout the season. His prolific goalscoring form earned him his first call up to the senior England international team. The best thing is: he’s not even the finished article.
Here’s a reminder of just one of his 30 strikes this season, but perhaps his best, in the North London derby…