REVEALED: The most improved players in Europe this season

For some players it can take time to find their feet in a new season and get up to speed again, not least those that may have been on international duty in the summer. Conversely others can hit the ground running, relishing a new lease of life as a new campaign represents a chance to start afresh. 

Here we look at the ten players to have improved most from last season in Europe’s top five leagues based on our statistical ratings, only considering those to have made more than five appearances this time out and more than fifteen in 2015/16. 

Ji Dong-Won (Augsburg) - rating increase 0.86 

A familiar name to Sunderland fans, outside of Wearside Premier League observers could be forgiven for not remembering Ji Dong-Won, so forgettable was his time in the north east. Following a permanent move to Augsburg in 2014, the South Korean’s career hasn’t really taken off since either, though an encouraging start to this season suggests the 25-year old still has something to offer the Bundesliga outfit. Already starting as many games this season as last (7), Ji ended a 58-game run without a league goal with a superb effort against high-flying RB Leipzig and has seen figures for shots (1.6), dribbles (1.8) and aerial duels won (4.1) per game rocket from last season’s efforts (0.6, 0.2 and 1 respectively). 

Florian Thauvin (Marseille) - rating increase 0.89 

Another player to have a torrid time in the north east of England, this time with Newcastle last season, Florian Thauvin is back in the sort of form that earned him a move to the Premier League following his return to Marseille. The young winger has three goals to his name already this time around, with an average of 2.7 dribbles per game helping the 23-year old to a rating of 7.30 thus far. With no goals or assists in the league with Newcastle, it’s fair to say his summer switch was the right thing for all parties involved. 

Allan Saint-Maximin (Bastia) - rating increase 0.92 

Elsewhere in Ligue 1, teenager Allan Saint-Maximin is enjoying a fine start to his loan spell following a disastrous temporary switch to the Bundesliga with Hannover. The 19-year old has been an ever present for Bastia this season having started just one of 16 league appearances in Germany last time out. He’s been desperately unlucky not to add to a stunning early season strike, with a number of ferocious shots from distance going close, while an average of 3.6 dribbles per game ranks third in France’s top tier this time around. 

Pablo Piatti (Espanyol) - rating increase 0.93 

When Espanyol secured the loan services of Piatti from Valencia, many felt they had managed some impressive business and that’s certainly proving to be true. It’s a wonder how the winger wasn’t seen to have a role to play with los Che given their struggles of late, with the Argentine falling out of favour last season despite posting strong figures in 2014/15. He’s made a superb start at his new club, with a rating of 7.29 courtesy of 3 goals and 5 assists - no player has registered more in La Liga - in just 7 appearances. 

Joe Allen (Stoke) - rating increase 0.99 

On the subject of players that looked like proving to be strong signings for their new clubs this summer, while Stoke’s outlay on Joe Allen was substantial, few doubted that he would improve the Potters’ ranks. Fewer still would have predicted quite the impact he would have though, relishing a more advanced role in his new surroundings to score 4 league goals for the club already - as many as he managed in four seasons at Liverpool - while assists for Wilfried Bony’s first two goals for the club against both players’ former club Swansea on Monday was enough to force Allen into the Premier League team of the season so far (7.57 rating). 

Theo Walcott (Arsenal) - rating increase 1.05 

Another player that has looked revitalised in the Premier League this season is Theo Walcott, whom many felt had somewhat overstayed his welcome at Arsenal, failing to realise his potential. Nevertheless, the England international has silenced some critics this time around, starting all nine league matches prior to missing out through injury at Sunderland at the weekend. Reverting to a role on the right having previously been adamant that his best position was up front, the 27-year old has been in fine form for the Gunners, scoring 5 goals in 9 appearances to match his tally from 28 outings last time around. 

Iago Falque (Genoa) - rating increase 1.07 

After an incredibly forgettable spell at Tottenham, Iago Falque has shone since a permanent return to Serie A. He excelled back in Italy with Genoa to earn a move to Roma but found opportunities hard to come by last season, starting just 13 matches and as since made the move to Torino on loan. It’s fair to say the 26-year old is in the form of his life in his new surroundings, beginning this season with 5 goals and 3 assists in eight appearances having managed just two of each last time around, with a rating of 7.60 level in fifth with Paulo Dybala in Serie A. 

Felipe Anderson (Lazio) - rating increase 1.12 

Staying in Serie A, Felipe Anderson is back in the sort of form that saw him earmarked as a future world beater following a quite sensational breakout campaign in 2014/15. While figures of 7 goals and 4 assists last season weren’t to be sniffed at, the Brazilian failed to reach the heights of the previous campaign, or indeed hold down a regular spot in the side. Once again among the first names on the team sheet under new Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi, Anderson has managed 4 assists already this season, has one goal to his name and seen his stats for chances created rise from 0.8 to 2.6. Perhaps most impressive, however, is a huge increase to 4.1 tackles per game this season, which is enough to rank second in Italy’s top-flight. 

Heung-Min Son (Tottenham) - rating increase 1.17 

After a frustrating debut season at White Hart Lane Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that South Korean forward Son was interested in a move away during the summer. While most thought that his chances at Spurs would be limited once again though, the former Leverkusen man has instead profited from an injury to Harry Kane to prove his worth to the manager. He’s certainly managed to do that, scoring four goals and registering 2 assists this season, with figures of 3.1 shots, 2.3 key passes and 2.7 dribbles all well up from his debut campaign in the capital. 

Edin Dzeko (Roma) - rating increase 1.28 

Like Son, but perhaps to a greater degree given the opportunities he had last season, Edin Dzeko underwhelmed in his first season with a new club last time out, drawing heavy criticism for some glaring misses for Roma in the Italian press. The Bosnian has looked a completely different player this time out though, with 10 goals already this season, as well as two assists, having struck just 8 times in the league in 2015/16. A rating of 8.14 is second only to Neymar in Europe’s top 5 leagues, while six goals during the month of October was unsurprisingly enough to earn Dzeko WhoScored’s Serie A player of the month award.

Which players have impressed you most in Europe's top five leagues this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below