Player Focus: The Premier League's Most Improved Players

WhoScored has decided to look into our own category ahead of the illustrious end of season awards, focusing on the most improved players from the previous campaign. We have judged this by the greatest increase in a player's WhoScored rating from last season to this, with a mandatory cap of at least 10 appearances in each campaign.

6. David Silva (Manchester City) - WhoScored Rating Difference +.51

Had you looked at the bookies favourite as to who would win the eventual top gong from the PFA come the end of the season, the general consensus before the turn of the year would have seen David Silva as the frontrunner. The City slicker has had a slight lull in form of late but remains one of the league's brightest stars having picked up a league high of 12 assists thus far.

He is second in the league for key passes per game behind compatriot Juan Mata (2.9 to 3.3), though a hefty total of 68 shots should perhaps have seen a greater goal return than Silva's current tally of 5. His creativity sees him second in the entire division once again for through balls per game (0.6), while his touch and quick feet have led to a dribble success rate of 50% having completed 30 thus far.

Last season the 26-year-old finished with a WhoScored rating of 7.14 having scored just 4 goals and picked up only 7 assists in 35 appearances - figures that he has already bettered in 27 league matches this time around. His 88% pass accuracy is more aligned to a safety-first sort, though it is clear that Silva is anything but. Sadly for the Spaniard, his current dip could mean that Arsenal’s golden boy pips Silva come the end of the season.

5. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - WhoScored Rating Difference +.53

Another player who would no doubt be a worthy recipient of the season ending accolade is United forward Wayne Rooney, who unlike Silva has hit a purple patch of late. With 11 goals in his last 9 matches he is making up for his own fairly customary blip, this time coming midway through the season, and his 20 goals in 22 starts would surely see him lead the scoring charts in any other season.

Rooney has admittedly had the most shots per game (4.7), though an 18% conversion rate is still impressive and way up on last season's 11% having scored just 11 times from 1 more start. An area in which his tally has dropped significantly lies in his assists column, with just 3 so far compared to 11 in the previous campaign. His average of 1.4 key passes per game is therefore unsurprisingly down from 2.1 last season, but Ferguson wont mind as long as he continues to find the net at anywhere near his current regularity.

A rating of 7.34 last season saw him behind Nani at United, though he is only behind van Persie in the entire league as it stands, with a sensational average of 7.87. Other areas in which he has improved markedly include his pass accuracy, dribbling and defensive contribution, and all despite playing in a more typical forward role.

4. Michael Carrick (Manchester United) - WhoScored Rating Difference +.55

The inclusion of Michael Carrick on our leaderboard should come as little surprise to those who have studied the United man closely this season. Much maligned for an apparent tendency to look for the sideways or backwards pass, Carrick's methodical approach is a key facet to the league leaders' game, keeping the ball and, in the process, his place in the first team despite early signs that Anderson and Cleverley could be the new guard.

Sitting deep in midfield, the former England international is often tasked with nullifying the threat of the opponent's key creators. He leads the team for both tackles (3.3) and interceptions (2.9) per game of regular starters and covers the ground efficiently. In a recent interview he stated, "if you press the player on the ball you’re creating space in behind you and they can pass into that space. Force the opposition to play the ball where you want."

In possession the 30-year-old has been no slouch either. His pass accuracy of 90.2% ranks in the top 10 in the league and while critics will claim a 5-yard pass is hard to misplace, he has proven his range with 5 long balls per game thus far, with an 83.3% accuracy from said efforts. His marked improvements have gone unnoticed, or unrewarded at least, when it comes to any international involvement, though a rating of 7.37 compared to just 6.82 last season suggests he should certainly be in contention for Euro 2012.

3. Edin Dzeko (Manchester City) - WhoScored Rating Difference +.56

 It is fair to say that, like teammate David Silva, Edin Dzeko's excellent start to the season has halted somewhat, though competition for places from the likes of Aguero and Balotelli have hardly helped. He began his first full season with the club in spectacular fashion, netting 6 times in the first 3 league matches including an incredible 4-goal haul against Tottenham in week three.

The Bosnian has gone on to notch 13 league goals thus far, which, from only 14 starts is highly impressive. He has mustered 77 shots this term, with a 17% conversion rate all but identical to Balotelli's league record and just down on Aguero's 18%. All 3 of City's main marksmen are into double figures - with no other club in the league owning more than one player to have reached the 10-goal mark.

His improvements this season compared to last are alarming, netting just twice in 8 starts and 15 appearances overall after signing in January, though City's decision to hand Carlos Tevez a 'get out of jail free' card will hardly instill confidence in the current front line. With another summer of spending bound to lie ahead it remains to be seen just where Dzeko will rank in the pecking order at The Etihad next season.

2. James Morrison (West Brom) - WhoScored Rating Difference +.57

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Morrison was overshadowed by the likes of Odemwingie, Mulumbu and Brunt last season, but the Scot has certainly proved his worth this time around. A versatile player who can play wide or centrally, Morrison tends to thrive in the latter role and a steady start to the season has seen him build up confidence as West Brom have depended on him during the loss of Brunt to injury.

Outside of the Premier League's top 5, only Vorm, Suarez and Dempsey have a better WhoScored rating than the Scot, and his performances in the club's recent up turn in results prior to defeat to Man United have played a big factor. With 4 goals and 3 assists to his name, Morrison ranks highly at West Brom for shots per game (4th), pass accuracy (3rd) and is top for key passes per game, with 2. However, his averages of 2.2 interceptions (2nd) and 2.3 tackles (5th) prove that it is not just his attacking attributes that impress.

Only Mulumbu has averaged more passes per game than Morrison's 41.1, and given the fact that he ranked 8th for the side in this regard last season, with almost 10 fewer passes a match (31.5), the increase in his importance to the side is evident. He has already matched his figures in terms of goals and assists and improved in almost every other department from last season, climbing from a WhoScored rating of 6.57 to 7.14.

1. Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa) - WhoScored Rating Difference +.60

The appearance of Villa playmaker Stephen Ireland atop the leaderboard will no doubt come as a shock to many. It is true that his appearance here is more down to the truly diabolical and instantly forgettable first season that he had at the club, with many feeling an early exit was imminent after disagreements with former manager Gerard Houllier. However, though he wasn't an instant hit under Alex McLeish there is no doubt that the controversial midfielder is beginning to find his feet at the club.

Having endured an equally frustrating loan spell at Newcastle, Ireland returned to Villa Park in the summer but didn't net his first goal until New Year's Eve, earmarking a new dawn for his Villa career. He has still only started 11 games this season, with 5 substitute appearances, but has impressed in the most part when he has been given the nod. His average rating of 6.64 is exactly that – average - but doesn't tell the whole story of how he has linked Villa's play together in a side that has been horrifically stunted by a lack of confidence and flair.

Although the Irishman is hardly setting the world alight right now, if he continues to improve at his current rate having picked up a rating of just 6.04 from an admittedly limited input to the side last season, Villa may have the playmaker they need to build around in 2012/13.