Liverpool and Man City represented in most improved Premier League XI

With the 2018/19 Premier League season now coming to a dramatic climax, we reflect on the players that have made the biggest strides in the current campaign compared against their efforts in 2017/18.

Looking at those to have started at least five matches in one of Europe’s top five leagues and made a minimum of 20 Premier League appearances this time around, we have compiled an XI of players who have seen their WhoScored.com rating increase by the biggest margin in their respective positions.

GK: Ben Foster (Watford) - rating increase .20 (17/18: 6.50 - 18/19: 6.70)

Making the most improved XI at the age of 36, a summer move to Watford gave Foster a new lease of life after a difficult campaign with relegated West Brom. The experienced keeper has played every minute for the Hornets in the league this season, producing markedly more saves per game this season (3.1) despite conceding fewer goals. As a result his save success rate has risen over five per cent (70.3).

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - rating increase .28 (17/18: 7.02 - 18/19: 7.30)

In terms of development, while Alexander-Arnold showed a great deal of promise last season, the speed with which the 20-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s strongest full-backs has been startling. Having registered just one assist in 19 league matches last season, the England youngster recently took his tally to a superb nine this time around with his cross accuracy in particular rising substantially. Having found a teammate with 16.7 per cent of his deliveries last season, that figure has rocketed to an impressive 28.2 per cent.

CB: Fabian Schar (Newcastle) - rating increase .48 (17/18: 6.82 - 18/19: 7.30)

Having spent just one season in Spain with Deportivo La Coruna, Schar made the move to Newcastle last summer and has proven to be an excellent acquisition. He had to bide his time to break into the Magpies backline but the Swiss international’s impact on results since has been telling. Indeed, Rafa Benitez’s side have won an impressive ten matches of the 20 the centre-back has started compared to just one of 16 when he hasn’t, with Schar’s tackles (2.8 from 2.4) and interceptions (3 from 1.8) per 90 increasing significantly from his time in La Liga.

CB: Jan Bednarek (Southampton) - rating increase .39 (17/18: 6.67 - 18/19: 7.06)

Having been signed in January of last year with Mark Hughes at the helm, it’s fair to say that the Welshman’s departure earlier this season was a huge turning point for Bednarek. The 23-year-old started just once under the former manager this season - hauled off at half-time against Chelsea - but has played every single minute under new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl and proven why. The Poland international has developed physically, winning more than twice the number of aerial duels per 90 (now 3.3), and mentally, with his interceptions jumping from 1.1 to 2.9, to become the first name on the Saints team sheet.

LB: Lucas Digne (Everton) - rating increase .64 (17/18: 6.72 - 18/19: 7.36)

The third and final summer signing in this line-up, the addition of Lucas Digne has been a masterstroke by Everton, with Leighton Baines well past his peak. The Frenchman has shown shades of the former Toffees favourite in his pomp and proven just why the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Barcelona had signed him previously. Hitting a Jordi Alba shaped road block with the latter, Digne is relishing being a star player at Goodison, with four goals and four assists to his name. His delivery from wide has been put to far better use than at Camp Nou, resulting in an increase from 0.8 key passes per 90 to 2.

RM: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) - rating increase .46 (17/18: 6.79 - 18/19: 7.25)

Very much a squad player in his debut season at the Etihad, used in rotation, Bernardo is among Pep Guardiola’s most important players now. The Portuguese’s versatility certainly helps, but it’s his tireless pressing out of possession and guile in it that earned the former Monaco playmaker a player of the year nomination. Seven goals and seven assists don’t do justice to his overall impact with shots (1.9) and key passes (2.3) per 90 both on the rise.

CM: Philip Billing (Huddersfield) - rating increase .60 (17/18: 6.48 - 18/19: 7.08)

There aren’t too many players to have come out of a dismal season for the Terriers with much credit but if there is one that has proven capable of continuing in the top-flight it’s Billing. Many expected the young Dane to be more involved last season but the 22-year-old should have some takers this summer given Jan Siewert’s omission of the youngster in recent times. It’s been a curious decision to say the least to leave out a player that leads his side in tackles (per 90) and wins 75 per cent of his aerial duels but what could be Huddersfield’s loss would no doubt be a gain for a number of Premier League outfits next season.

CM: Isaac Hayden (Newcastle) - rating increase .44 (17/18: 6.54 - 18/19: 6.98)

Were it not for an injury crisis at the turn of the year Hayden would unlikely have been a Newcastle player right now, but since his enforced inclusion in the Newcastle lineup the midfielder has been extremely reliable. His unexpected partnership with youngster Sean Longstaff was key to steering the Magpies clear of a relegation battle, so it will be interesting to see Benitez’s stance on the 24-year-old come the summer. The former Arsenal graduate has four assists to his name, while winning a superb 3.6 tackles per 90 minutes (up from 2.6) and seeing figures for interceptions and pass accuracy increase.

LM: Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) - rating increase .33 (17/18: 6.71 - 18/19: 7.04)

Previously seen as a live wire winger that lacked a consistent end product, Fraser has maintained the former label whilst adding a remarkable level of quality in the final third to his game. Level with Eden Hazard in assists this season, the Scot’s tally of 13 is not only a huge increase from the previous campaign (three) but more than his previous five league campaigns for Bournemouth combined (12). With a record number of goals (seven) in his career to date to boot, and having created nine more clear cut chances than any other Premier League player, it’s little wonder some of the country’s biggest names are taking a keen interest.

FW: Troy Deeney (Watford) - rating increase .52 (17/18: 6.61 - 18/19: 7.13)

Much like his Watford teammate at the opposite end of this XI, one probably wouldn’t expect to find 30-year-old Troy Deeney in a most improved lineup but the captain has been back to his best after a frustrating 2017/18 campaign. While still one goal shy of double figures, to look merely at the target man’s goal tally is to misinterpret his huge importance to the team at Vicarage Road. The fan favourite at the club for good reason, his physicality poses big problems for defenders and helps bring others into play, doubling his goal contribution (14) when paired with assists from last season and relishing life under Javi Gracia.

FW: Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) - rating increase .50 (17/18: 6.54 - 18/19: 7.04)

Like club mate Fraser, Wilson was a player that promised much but ultimately undelivered in terms of his goal contribution prior to this season, but with the help of the Scot - whilst also returning the favour - that has all changed. Steering clear of any more serious injuries has of course been key, but the striker has undoubtedly made huge strides with regards to his end product. Tallies of 14 goals and an even more impressive nine assists mean the 27-year-old has had a direct hand in 13 more than last season, and his unselfish interplay in the Bournemouth attack earned the forward a deserved England call-up.