Six of the Best: Positive impact players in the Premier League

Sunderland’s Premier League record with and without Jack Rodwell is well documented. The Black Cats have failed to win any of the 35 top-flight matches Rodwell has started since moving to the Stadium of Light in August 2014, with the midfielder last on a winning side in a league match he started in May 2013 when Manchester City faced West Brom. Conversely, there are those whose inclusion is a boost for their respective team.  

With that, WhoScored.com runs through the players that have had the biggest positive impact in terms of win percentage from those that have started more than five Premier League matches this season. 

Victor Moses – Chelsea (43.3% win increase when starting) 

Victor Moses was largely called on late on in games to help swing ties in Chelsea’s favour earlier in the season. His unpredictability made him a handy substitute as the minutes ticked towards the 90 where the Blues aimed to stretch their opponents. Chelsea’s 3-0 loss at Arsenal in September, however, prompted a re-think from manager Antonio Conte. The Italian was widely expected to deploy a three-man defence upon his arrival, but it was the loss at the Emirates that ultimately convinced him to tinker with his set up. 

This benefitted Moses, who has started the last 15 Premier League games for Chelsea. In that run, the Blues have won 14 matches compared to three of six the Nigerian didn’t feature in from the off. A 43.3% win percentage increase is testament not only to Conte’s managerial qualities, but also the role Moses has carried out in Chelsea's new system. 

Marcos Alonso – Chelsea (43.3%) 

It’s a similar story for Marcos Alonso, who struggled to force his way into the team until Conte’s decision to move to a 3-4-3 formation. Like Moses, Alonso profited from the Italian’s move to a three-man backline having started each of the last 15 Premier League outings for the Blues. In that time, Chelsea’s win ratio has increased by 43.3%, with the Spaniard an effective attacking and defensive outlet at left wing-back. 

A WhoScored rating of 7.51 ranks among the top 15 players in England’s top tier this term, with a brace in the weekend’s 3-0 win at Leicester arguably a high point of his career at Stamford Bridge. The combination of Alonso and Moses has provided Chelsea with the ideal blend of attacking ingenuity and defensive solidity on either flank as they continue to motor towards the Premier League title.  

Abel Hernandez – Hull (44.4%) 

Marco Silva made an immediate impact for the Tigers on his Premier League bow as Hull secured a 3-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend to significantly improve their chances of staying up. The re-introduction of Abel Hernandez, who missed a large chunk of the season through injury, has certainly played a key role in Hull’s quest to consolidate a top-flight spot, with the Uruguayan grabbing a vital brace against the Cherries to put a vital three points on the board. 

In fact, all four of Hull's wins have come when the 26-year-old has started, whereas they've failed to win any of the 12 league games Hernandez did not feature in from the off. Only Robert Snodgrass (7) has scored more league goals for the Tigers than Hernandez (3) this season and with Hull’s win ratio improving by 44.4% when he does start, it’s crucial Hernandez be available for Silva between now and the end of the campaign. 

Andy Carroll – West Ham (46.7%) 

West Ham’s pursuit of a striker this month is well-documented and on the back of Simone Zaza’s departure, coupled with Andre Ayew’s Africa Cup of Nations participation, Slaven Bilic’s attacking options are thin on the ground. The Croat would favour having Andy Carroll available more readily, particularly on the back of a superb showing against Crystal Palace. The victory over the Eagles was just Carroll’s sixth league start of the campaign, but the Hammers have won four of those. 

Conversely, West Ham have won just three of the 15 Premier League matches the 28-year-old has not started this season, with a positive win percentage difference of 46.7% when Carroll starts. Provided the English frontman could stay fully fit, it’s likely that West Ham would not be pursuing a new striker as vigorously as possible this month but given the striker’s injury woes, it’s little wonder the Hammers are keen to improve in attack. 

Victor Anichebe – Sunderland (50%) 

Without Jermain Defoe, Sunderland would be in a far more perilous position then they current find themselves in. The England frontman has 12 goals to his name in the Premier League this season, but the Black Cats remain a far better side with Victor Anichebe in the starting XI. The Nigerian – like Carroll – has a history of injury issues, but when fit, is an immediate starter for David Moyes’ side. 

While he has just three league goals to his name from eight starts, Sunderland’s win ratio improves 50% when Anichebe features from the off, with the team failing to win any of the 13 Premier League matches the 28-year-old has not started. He holds up play effectively and links up well with Defoe, so it little shock Sunderland have faltered when Anichebe has been unavailable. Having not played the full 90 minutes since Boxing Day, Moyes must be hoping he can recover the frontman sooner rather than later in the club’s bid to stave off the drop. 

Nolito – Manchester City (66.7%) 

Pep Guardiola strengthened significantly to improve the offensive side of Manchester City’s game over the summer, with Nolito one of five attacking signings made by the Premier League title contenders. The experienced Spain international, however, has registered just nine starts for the team following his arrival from Celta Vigo, with he last featuring from the off for City in the 3-0 win at Hull on Boxing Day. 

That being said, City have won all nine of the Premier League games Nolito has started this term and just four of the 12 he has not, meaning a 66.7% win percentage increase when the 30-year-old starts a league game. While he may not have been a headline-grabbing signing, City arguably perform better when the Spaniard starts, especially with the number of goals scored per game dropping from 2.67 to 1.42 when he’s not included in the starting XI.