Remember when Jordan Pickford was throwing shots into his own net for Everton? When Miguel Almiron and Joelinton were tying themselves in knots at Newcastle United? When Roberto Firmino’s Liverpool career appeared to be on it’s last legs.
Well, that all seems like a long time ago now.
The Premier League’s most improved XI
Jordan Pickford – Everton
For far too long, England’s Jordan Pickford and Everton’s Jordan Pickford were two very different beasts. Infallible for his country, error-prone for his club. But, at long last, Pickford is starting to put in Man of the Match performances week-in, week-out, with Everton benefitting greatly from his new-found concentration and consistency between the sticks.
Few goalkeepers have produced finer displays this season than Pickford’s in the Merseyside derby.
Diogo Dalot – Manchester United
The likes of Fred, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford have come on leaps and bounds under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. Dalot, however, is the player who has gained the most from the arrival of the former Ajax boss; establishing himself as United’s first-choice right-back for the very first time while emerging as an excellent one-v-one defender.
Dalot still needs to work on his end product. But the prediction one Jose Mourinho made about the former Porto youngster is finally starting to ring true.
“Everyone could see he’s a 19-year-old player who has more than 10 years to play for Manchester United,” Mourinho said back in 2018 (Sky Sports).
Fabian Schar – Newcastle United
The Swiss international is not only one of the first names on Newcastle’s team sheet these days, he is an integral part of Eddie Howe’s tactical blueprint. Schar’s passing range and ability to stark attacks from deep have earned him the nod to start alongside Sven Botman, ahead of club captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Schar and Botman were nigh-on faultless during Sunday’s statement 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
Mohammed Salisu – Southampton
Salisu has always had potential. But, in his third season in St Mary’s, the £10 million signing from Real Valladolid is starting to put that panicky streak behind him, evolving into a far more consistent and decisive centre-half alongside the excellent Armel Bella Kotchap.
“Against the ball, he’s one of the best defenders in the league, for sure,” beams Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuttl. “With the ball, he has definitely room to improve and he knows this. So this is something he has to work on.
“But and I expect him to step up and (keep) getting better.”
Ashley Young – Aston Villa
It says a lot about how this season has gone from Aston Villa that a 37-year-old left-back is perhaps the reliable performer in an expensively-assembled and underachieving squad. Young, in his second spell at Villa Park, has stepped effortlessly into the void created by Lucas Digne’s injury-enforced absence, leading by example in claret and blue.
Cheikhou Kouyate – Nottingham Forest
Forest have lost just one of their last four Premier League games and much of that is down to the hard-running, sweat-shedding midfield trio of Ryan Yates, Remo Freuler and 32-year-old Kouyate. The veteran Senegal international was one of Forest’s less-heralded summer signings when arriving on a free from Crystal Palace. But he’s made a far greater impact than some of his more high-profile team-mates, putting in a colossal performance during Forest’s 1-0 win over Liverpool.
Granit Xhaka – Arsenal
With four goals in all competitions, 2022/23 is already Xhaka’s joint-most prolific season as an Arsenal player. And it’s not even Halloween yet. Xhaka has been a revelation in a more advanced role under Mikel Arteta, setting the tone with his rhythmic left-footed passing. Simply put, he’s never played better.
“Granit Xhaka is now becoming an Arsenal fan favourite. And who could’ve imagined that?” Gunners legend Martin Keown told BT Sport.
“His work-rate all the time to learn is fantastic, and now I think it’s paying off. With the role he has, it has given him a lot of licence to move forwards. We know he has had a difficult time at the club. But that’s in the past and he’s doing well.”
Miguel Almiron – Newcastle United
Another player who appears to have stumbled upon an unexpected scoring streak, Jack Grealish created a monster when digging out the popular Paraguayan during Man City’s booze-fuelled title celebrations last May. Almiron has six goals in 12 games already, and produced a more-than-passable Kylian Mbappe impression when roasting Clement Lenglet before firing past Hugo Lloris on Sunday.
His sumptuous volley against Fulham, meanwhile, is an early Goal of the Season contender.
Alex Iwobi – Everton
During Iwobi’s first couple of seasons at Goodison Park, he felt like a victim of his own versatility. At wing-back one week, in midfield the next; from the right-hand side, to the left. Iwobi is reaping the rewards of being handed a consistent role under Frank Lampard, carrying the creative can for an Everton side who look well-placed to avoid another nerve-shredding relegation battle.
Iwobi’s glittering performance in the 3-0 triumph over Crystal Palace was arguably his best in the Premier League.
Joelinton – Newcastle United
Like Almiron, fellow South American Joelinton has been a man reborn since Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s £40 million man continues to thrive in a shuttling midfield role that makes the most of his ball-carrying ability and relentless work ethic.
If he can start putting away chances, then cult hero status will be Joelinton’s to lose.
Roberto Firmino – Liverpool
One of the very few Liverpool players who can look himself in the mirror during their worst start to a season in the Jurgen Klopp era. While Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Mo Salah and even Virgil van Dijk are struggling for form, Firmino has rolled back the years with six goals and three assists in 10 Premier League appearances.
Klopp will be wishing the rest of his squad can take a leaf out of Firmino’s book.
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