Player Focus: The Biggest Upturns in Form in 2013

WhoScored.com examines the players who have had the most significant upturn in form in 2013, with ratings from this season prior to January 1st deducted from their respective averages since the turn of the year. To be considered all players must have featured in at least ten games both before and since New Year's Day, with the following a rundown of the top 10.

10. Gary O'Neil (West Ham) - Rating Increase: 0.74

West Ham fans may have been wary of the fact that injury to captain Mark Noble might derail a successful campaign back in the Premier League but the performances of Gary O'Neil in his absence have provided all the reassurance needed that it would not be the case. The 29 year old has become Allardyce's most creative force this year, with an average of 2.42 key passes per game up from 0.73 prior to the New Year and his rating has rocketed in turn from 6.36 in 2012 to 7.10 in 2013.

9. Jose Antonio Reyes (Sevilla) - Rating Increase: 0.75

With four assists in his last 6 games, Reyes has certainly hit a purple patch this year having produced just 1 from 11 appearances this season in 2012. The winger's average for key passes has doubled in that time, from 1.45 to 2.87, and his confidence has clearly increased. In the first half of the season the Spaniard had completed just one dribble all season, while in 2013 he has rounded an opponent on 18 occasions, with his WhoScored rating up to 7.32 from a modest 6.57.

8. Thomas Mangani (Nancy) - Rating Increase: 0.77

After a slow start to the season Thomas Mangani has cemented his place in the Nancy side to play the entire 90 minutes in the last 14 Ligue 1 matches. That period has seen the club pick up all but one of their 8 league wins this season, and the defensive midfielder's role has been key. The 26 year old's combined figures for tackles and interceptions per game have soared from 4.56 to 6.93, with his rating also on the rise from 6.71 to an excellent 7.48 in 2013.

7. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) - Rating Increase: 0.78

Much was made of the Pochettino effect following the Argentine's arrival at Southampton and he certainly had a positive impact on the form of Jay Rodriguez. The former Burnley forward had failed to shine after a big money move to the Premier League but he's netted 4 league goals and added a further 4 assists since the new management took charge. His confidence has clearly been restored, attempting 3.41 shots per game this year, and his rating in 2013 is up to 7.02 from a lowly 6.24.

6. Dorlan Pabon (Betis) - Rating Increase: 0.79

Colombian forward Dorlan Pabon made a loan move to Betis from Serie A side Parma in January and it's a switch that seems to be benefitting all parties involved. The 25 year old made 12 appearances for the Italian outfit this season, failing to score or assist a single goal, while he's netted 6 and created 2 goals in just one more appearance for the European hopefuls from La Liga. He's scored with every 6 shots on average for Betis, having failed to register from 27 at Parma.

5. Julian Draxler (Shalke) - Rating Increase: 0.83

The loss of Lewis Holtby in January was exactly that to Schalke, whose form took an immediate dip after his departure, but one man, or teen to be more precise, who has certainly profited has been Julian Draxler. The German international has moved into Holtby's vacated role in the centre and flourished, with 6 of his 9 goals coming in 2013, while his averages for shots (2.6), key passes (2.1) and dribbles (3.2) per game are all significantly greater in that time. His average rating, in turn, is up to a superb 7.83 from an already respectable 7.

4. Ever Banega (Valencia) - Rating Increase: 0.84

An injury that was as comical as it was unfortunate hampered Ever Banega's entire year in 2012, but the Argentine has been in incredible form in recent weeks as Valencia attempt to secure Champions League football once again. Pushed forward into a more advanced role of late, the 24 year old has either scored or assisted 6 goals in the current calendar year having failed to do so in 10 appearances in the first half of the season. He's averaged far more shots, key passes and dribbles in 2013, and his rating has risen to 7.44 from 6.60.

3. Gabby Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) - Rating Increase: 0.87

While much of the attention at Villa Park has surrounded the goalscoring exploits of Christian Benteke, it seems Gabby Agbonlahor is relishing the opportunity slip under the radar somewhat. The forward's vital brace at Norwich at the weekend took his tally to 8 in the league in 2013, having scored just 1 from as many appearances (13) prior to the New Year. He averaged just one shot per game in the first half of the season, which has more than doubled since the start of January (to 2.31), and his rating is up to 7.20 from a meagre 6.33 as a result.

2. Vieirinha (Wolfsburg) - Rating Increase: 0.88

It's fair to say Portuguese winger Vieirinha was somewhat of a slow burner when he first made his move to Germany last year but his form in 2013 has been cause for optimism for Wolfsburg, who are now unbeaten in 8 games. The 27 year old has played an important part in that run, and while his key attacking stats have all increased, his averages for tackles (2.4) and interceptions (3.3) per game in 2013 are very impressive. In 12 appearances this year, his rating is up from 6.70 to 7.58.

1. Mario Balotelli (Milan) - Rating Increase: 1.63

By far the biggest upturn in form in 2013 is that of Mario Balotelli, whose increase of 1.63 is almost double that of any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues. The Italian netted just once in 14 league appearances for City this season, but he's gone on to score 9 times in just 10 Serie A matches since a January move to AC Milan. The much maligned 22 year old has averaged a huge 5.27 shots per game this year, and his conversion rate in Italy this season is up to 15.5% from 2.9% at City. His rating has ballooned from 6.36 to 7.99 in 2013, and he's the talk of the town for all the right reasons in Milan at present.