Manchester clubs dominate most improved Premier League XI

If you ever played competitive amateur football at any level, you would know that any award for the 'most improved player' isn't necessarily seen or taken as a compliment! A somewhat glorified participation acknowledgement in many cases, that's certainly not true of the following lineup.

With an indefinite break on Premier League action in place as things stand, we've taken the opportunity to assess the players that had made the biggest strides in the campaign beforehand.

Using our statistical ratings we have calculated an XI of the players who have seen the greatest increase in their respective scores from 2018/19 to the current campaign. In order to qualify, players must have made a minimum of ten league appearances last season and 20 this time around, with the two Manchester clubs well represented.

Goalkeeper: Mat Ryan (Brighton) - 6.41 to 6.71 (+.30)

One can't overstate the change in philosophy at Brighton under Graham Potter but if one stat highlights it better than any other it's Ryan's leap in terms of pass accuracy. Playing out from the back rather than lumping it long, the Australian has completed 81.3 per cent of his passes this season compared to 50.1 per cent last, but also produced more saves on average (3.2 up from 2.9) and conceded fewer goals (1.38 down from 1.62 per game).

Right-back: Ricardo Pereira (Leicester) - 7.34 to 7.50 (+.16)

Having been named the Foxes Player of the Year last season, Leicester fans won't have been expecting any great improvement from an excellent debut campaign but Pereira has gone up another level. The highest rated right-back in a league blessed with some excellent competition in that regard, the Portugal international has seen his averages for dribbles, key passes, interceptions and tackles increase, with the latter (4.3 per game) a record in the division.

Centre-back: Yerry Mina (Everton) - 6.58 to 6.85 (+.27)

After a disappointing debut season at Goodison admittedly hampered by injury, Mina has settled on Merseyside and is looking far more assured as a result. The Colombian has been a mainstay in the side this season, making 25 appearances compared to just 13 last, averaging more tackles as well as fewer fouls, while posing a huge threat in the opposition box. Indeed, no player has had more attempts from set piece situations in the Premier League (27).

Centre-back: Federico Fernandez (Newcastle) - 6.64 to 6.84 (+.20)

Another played who had a disappointing debut season last time around, with the Argentine also a more prominent fixture this time around. His form has certainly improved as a result, averaging twice as many tackles per game this term (1.7 from 0.8) and chipping in with his first two goals in a Newcastle shirt.

Left-back: Diego Rico (Bournemouth) - 6.36 to 6.99 (+.63)

Finishing a back five comprised entirely of players in their second season at their current clubs, the cliched 'syndrome' has been a case reversed for Rico too. The full-back struggled for playing time in his first campaign on the south coast, starting just five of 12 league appearances, but has done so 21 times this season by comparison, and despite missing eight matches the Spaniard leads the Premier League in interceptions (66).

Central midfield: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) - 6.67 to 7.20 (+.53)

While it ended in the euphoria of lifting the Champions League there's no question that the 2018/19 campaign was a disappointing one from an individual perspective for Henderson. In and out of the side at times, it seemed as though Jurgen Klopp didn't really know how best to utilise his captain but that has changed this season. Since the turn of the year in particular the England international has been in the form of his life, with twice as many goals and assists combined (8), key passes and dribbles per game compared to last season.

Central midfield: Scott McTominay (Manchester United) - 6.48 to 7.10 (+.62)

It wouldn't be too harsh to claim that up until this season, it was difficult to see what Scott McTominay offered to Manchester United, besides an example of an academy player making the grade. That's all changed this season, however, with the Scotland international now an integral part of the Red Devils midfield, withing his energy in and out of possession pivotal. His attacking game has developed no end, scoring four goals and averaging 0.9 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per 90, where last season those figures were just 0.1 apiece.

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 7.05 to 7.92 (+.87)

It seems strange to see such an established, world class player in such a side but it's easy to forget the torrid season De Bruyne endured last time around. No fully fit, the Belgian has been on top form and earned the highest WhoScored.com rating in the Premier League for good measure. Whilst he only started 11 of 19 league appearances last season, the City star had a direct hand in just four goals (2 goals and 2 assists) - a tally which has increased by 20 this time around (8 goals, 16 assists).

Right wing: Adama Traore (Wolves) - 6.59 to 7.61 (+1.02)

Our most improved player in the Premier League this season, Traore has shown glimpses of his quite frankly frightening ability in the past but has been a revelation in 2019/20. That's despite his (not so) average dribbles per 90 actually dropping marginally from 6.5 to a still ludicrous 6.3, but where the Spaniard registered just a single goal and assist for his efforts last season, his end product has improved dramatically. Four goals and seven assists prove as much, and with an established role in the Wolves side he is now a huge asset.

Left wing: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) - 6.95 to 7.34 (+.39)

While Rashford's potential has never been in question, the fact as to whether he would realise it was beginning to become a slight doubt prior to this season. The United academy graduate burst onto the scene almost by accident in the 2015/16 campaign but his strike rate showed little sign of improvement until this term. With 14 goals in 22 league appearances his progress in front of goal was clear to see prior to suffering injury earlier in the year, looking settled playing off the left flank as opposed to leading the line.

Striker: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) - 6.64 to 7.19 (+.55)

After a hugely impressive first 18 months in England there's no question that the 2018/19 campaign was a step backwards for Jesus. The Brazilian started just eight of 29 league appearances and while he remains second fiddle to Sergio Aguero, the competition for the starting spot up front at the Etihad is greater once again. Jesus's strike rate this season is much improved, notching ten league goals despite starting just 13 of 24 matches. His quality in the box is best evidenced by the fact that only Mo Salah has had more shots on target in the league this season (36).