Building The MOST IMPROVED Premier League XI This Season! 📈 | Saturday Social
► Subscribe to Sky Sports Premier League: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsPL ► Watch Sky Sports with NOW: https://bit.ly/NOWPremierLeagueYT Julien Laurens & Lyes Bouzidi join Joe Thomlinson & Adam Smith this week on Saturday Social. With the likes of Martin Odegaard, Alexander Isak, and Cole Palmer making a huge impact in the first few games, we decided to look at the most improved players so far this season. This is in comparison to how they performed and where they were in the previous season. Who do you think should make the XI? Football SaturdaySocial SkySports PremierLeague Chapters 00:00 Goalkeeper 02:35 Right Back 05:25 Centre-backs 06:45 Left Back 08:15 Midfielders 15:33 Right Winger 18:00 Left Winger 20:00 Striker premierleague football saturdaysocial ► Premier League highlights: https://bit.ly/PL2627HL ► MNF, FNF, SNF & Super Sunday analysis: https://bit.ly/SkyMatchAnalysis ► Gary Neville Podcast: https://bit.ly/GaryNevillePodcast ► Saturday Social: https://bit.ly/SkySaturdaySocial ► Buy this season’s shirts: https://bit.ly/SkySportsShop More from Sky Sports on YouTube: ► Sky Sports: http://bit.ly/SkySportsSub ► Sky Sports Boxing: http://bit.ly/SSBoxingSub ► Sky Sports Cricket: http://bit.ly/SubscribeSkyCricket ► Sky Sports Darts: https://bit.ly/SubSkySportsDarts ► Sky Sports Football: http://bit.ly/SSFootballSub ► Sky Sports F1: http://bit.ly/SubscribeSkyF1 ► Sky Sports Golf: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsGolf ► Sky Sports News: http://bit.ly/SkySportsNewsSub ► Sky Sports Retro: http://bit.ly/SkySportsRetroSub ► Sky Sports WSL: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsWSL ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkySportsFootball ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skysportsfootball ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skysportsfootball ► X: https://x.com/SkySportsPL ► Website: https://www.skysports.com ► To enquire about licensing Sky Sports content, you can find out more here: https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/31754/11434270/license-sky-sports-footage
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Right, only one place to start. We think Joe, there's been a lot of teams and players this season have really caught the headlines for their improvement compared to last season to this season. So, because we've got two guests with great football knowledge, we thought we'd tap into that insight a little bit, didn't we? >> Yeah, absolutely. Leas and Jules are going to be headto-head, position by position pitching who they think has been the most improved player in that specific role. This is quite difficult, I will say. Early in the season, aren't we? Uh, let's start with goalkeepers, shall we, boys? Who are you pitching? Let's see both your magnets. [snorts] >> Most improved goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. >> Zelakis versus Petra. >> Petraovic. >> Who? >> Who? It's crazy. >> Nah. >> Do you want me to start? >> You you start the Hold on. By the way, defend the best player first before you come at me. >> The best start. >> Um I think he's he was outstanding last season already. Our Olympia course. I don't understand why not a bigger club than her city in the Premier League have come for him. uh because I just think he's been incredible and the way he stepped up to the Premier League compared to obviously the Greek league is impressive. If you watch him with Greece in in the international break, >> this international break, he was incredible against the Germans for example, I think he's just outstanding and one of the big reason why her started the season so well. >> Yeah, join most clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Three from five for a newly promoted team as well, which shows how well Hull have done in general. Um you disagree, leas Petravvic, why >> I went for improvement. He started his argument by saying he was outstanding at Olympia and now outstanding at whole city. Is that real improvement? I've >> You picked the keeper who's worse this season than last season. >> I disagree. I massively haven't won a single game. >> I wouldn't say that's all on Petravvic though. I [laughter] I think Petravvic in goal to be fair. It was one of those positions I looked at last season and felt I think Bournemouth could potentially look to improve. And I felt that when they went for Doro from Juuve, that was to bring in more competition. I actually think bar that one error he made this season which was a bad error I'll give him that I actually think he's been better than he was last season and I think goalkeeper was one of those positions I looked at across the league and thought to myself who's actually improved that much I couldn't find too many so I went for Petrovvic >> started solo Petrovich last season so >> yeah improve there's only one way is up >> there [laughter] is an interesting stat 58% save rate from the Premier League this season it is the worst in a season in his career but >> say that again 58 >> 58% save rate from the Premier League >> how much of that is down your your back. >> Come on. That's a defensive >> recording as well. >> You can quit. You can quit the show. [laughter] >> Okay. I think this is >> I think it's fair to say both have had solid seasons though. But I I would think the argument and the start that you and I are in agreement on that. Yeah. >> Uh good luck with this next one. Leas. This is a rogue shower right back. You're suggesting you're going Pedra as a right back. Let me ask you as a as a right back. Let me ask you as a right back. In a back four in a back we talking back four here. back. >> Let me ask you guys a where's he been playing this season? Right [clears throat] wing back, right? >> Wing back. >> In a hypothetical situation here, if Pedro Netto were to finish in the Premier League team of the season this year, where would they put him in that team? They would put him at they would position him at right back. So for this ideal team, for this team on paper, I'm I'm positioning him there. >> This doesn't work, but you you're creating you're creating a position for this is not his position. Right back in the back four. >> No, he plays right wing back in Shabonzo system. >> This is the back four we have. >> As far as I'm concerned, there's so he could never have been in this team then to be fair. >> No, this is not his position. who he is Justin and clearly he's also a wing back. [laughter] >> He he plays with the national team as right back. Where does he play for the national team? Where does he play? >> He plays on the wing. Of course. Of course he does >> because that's his best position, right? It's just Alonzo is tinkering a bit. >> I actually think maybe controversially, I think this has been the best football he's played since he left Wolves. I think at right wing back Alonzo has unlocked the best version of Pedro Netto we've seen since he joined the club. >> Position though. >> Is that his George's question? Yeah, >> it's not his position, but he's only judge him on where he's playing at the moment. >> And for me, if we were to make a team of the season, he makes it, they would probably put him as a right back. Now, okay, we're talking semantics here. I think in terms of improvement, Pedro Netto has massively improved over well, arguably, of course, the first five, six games under Chabonzo. I think his job has been much more simplified playing this role. He's really asked to just make those overlapping runs, get balls into the box, not asked to take on his men as much. And thus, despite Chelsea maybe struggling defensively, I think he's really benefited from the system. >> George, you don't agree? >> I mean, I think they have struggled defensively because they've got somebody like him at wing back when he's not he's not because he can't defend. He's not a defender. Even in the back five, you need your right wing backs and left wing back to defend at some points. He doesn't do that. I think their issues I think he's unbalancing them massively and I know he's got good output going forwards in that position, but when they don't have the ball, I think that hasn't worked at all. >> I think I think their issues come more in midfield and center back. Well, I think at the back too. >> Okay. Why you >> I think has been outstanding again this season. Making the move from Belgium to the Premier League is never easy. I think he's been great for the system at Crystal Palace. I know as a wing back, but he plays as right back. [snorts] >> They've conceded a lot of team from the national team and also for last season two. So, I think he's great there. He's strong defensively. He's super quick. He's good on he's good on the ball. He's good going forwards. He runs a lot. He's like a a Hakeime that he's not as good as Hakeime, but he very much the same profile. So for me, there's there's not even a debate here. >> I think given that, you know, we're kind of playing about four here. Pedronetto kind of auto disqualif. [laughter] It's a rogue show. >> I don't know how you can use the argument about goals conceded and then look at Crystal Palace. Look at the goals they've conceded. >> Two. Now, this is good news for you, Leas, because you've [laughter] actually got the same center back. You can't lose the >> Let's do them both at the same time. Same center. I I think there's a lot to be said about players coming into the league at such a young age by the way and looking so seamless. Jeremy Jac really good uh appearance for France as well too in midweek. >> I just think he's taken to life at Liverpool. And of course it's going to be easier when you're playing next to Virgil van Djk. Who better to learn off of. But the way he's just seamlessly transitioned into Premier League football has been really impressive. But Muharovic I think maybe is going a bit under the radar. Was very good in Syria last season. I felt was was pretty strong in the World Cup at times. I watched them against was it Canada in the first game? Amazing performance in terms of blocks and I think he's really helped take leads to another level this season. >> Were you were you surprised at how good Jac's been out? >> I to be fair I thought the talent was always there. There was never a debate. I just thought it would take him a bit of time maybe to get just used to the Premier League, different country. He's still so young. He was injured at the second half of last season. He's a it's a big transfer, a lot of money involved and sometimes some young players can struggle a bit. You talked with yes about Lenny Euro for example similar similar pathway a bit younger than Jac when he moved to United but I thought Lenny was probably more ready at the time >> to establish himself for United in the Premier League. Yeah because he played more he played in Europe etc and and for Jac was very different and yet he was outstanding. So I I agree completely on both of them both stick them up. Uh I'll do the defenders >> and we'll get the left backs rolling. Worth pointing out the price tag for Merma Rich. I think was 34 million odd for inflation market as well what they've got for that and I think Le have got the best defense because he had the fewest Premier League goals as well. So both good shouts. Let's go to left back disagreement. Leas you want to kick us off? >> I went for Buskagi. I think >> originally as a left center back, right, >> but I think he's really transitioned into this back four. He's taken that left back completely as his own now and I don't really see him losing it going forward. And I think early on Brighton's good form, a lot of that comes down to his his buildup play. I think he's very very talented on the ball. Something that I don't think anyone really questioned. Defensively has been strong. I think he's one of those stories when you look at Brighton about players who have come in and really made an impact from last season. Obviously was there last season, but this year as a starter, I've been really impressed by Scott. >> Yeah. Only started nine Premier League games. >> Was it was rumored to to be called up by Zidan at one point. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think he's on the short list on the like precourt list if you want. I thought about him. I already I already had two Brighton players in my team, but it's a great shot, I think. And he can play as a 6-2. >> Some of the diagonals that he use with his left foot so good and that's what Herzel likes a lot. So, I I'm I'm with you on that to be fair. >> Do you know I think is a decent shot actually. >> Okay, let's go back to Skag. We give him Le that one. >> Yeah, I mean I think Louis Potter has done really well with Brenford. I think he's I love how what kind of player he is with the ball without the ball defensively. He's he's just a tidy super tidy player. But >> very well coached side Brenford. Everyone knows their role and >> I would say that though because they beat my team 3-0 on the opening day. So we'll [laughter] put that saying much. >> Next up, let's go to sort of the first deep lineing midfielder slightly deeper. Anyway, James Mcatee plays Harrison Armstrong. I think both of them have really taken a leap this season. Matei, man, I I've always felt that he's underrated. I think in the academy for City, he was one of those players that absolutely shown and >> I think it's taken him a while to really make that breakthrough and show it at at first team level. But this season, >> uh, I think he's he's had a new lease of life playing in this more deeper role. He's he's almost doing what Wharton did for Crystal Palace last season. >> And in terms of replacing Elliot Anderson in terms of being that deep line player who can play those passes through the lines and kind of conduct play, I think he's had a real lease of life and I've really been impressed. obviously started way more games this I think he started the same amount of games this season as he did all of last year so kind of speed improvement >> it's quite interesting isn't it because what could have been here Harrison Ar was so close to joining forest if he's gone to forest would have to have played [snorts] >> started over him played together what a start he's had Harrison >> yeah incredible I mean if you'd seen him at Preston last season when he was there on lo championship and the player that is now he's just there that's why I picked him I think he's an incredible talent he's only 19 >> still so young but still play with so much maturity I think he's been very instrumental on on the good start of the season that Everton have had. So for me, he's very close as well to probably being an England call up at some point even if he's just to be part of that big squad that Thomas Tol has and maybe just try him a little bit there because I think he's just the the future for English football. >> I think the biggest credit to Armstrong as well is when he was linked with a move you saw the reaction of Everton and that that is an area of the pitch where they've actually got quite a nice balance in midfield but I think that was a testament to how he's been this season. I just think Macki though, this is the this is the example of how important environment and coaching can can really be. Like you just have to find the right coach that can kind of back you in your corner and find a new role for you and then you can almost see your potential unlocked. And I think we're finally getting to see that with Macinto. >> Good debate this one. >> Yeah, I think it's Armstrong though. >> I think >> Yeah, I think as well I think based on the fact that it's improvement. Yeah. Can you do the can you reach the middle? There we go. >> Right. So we're going to the next midfield cuz there's quite a lot of disagreement here which is [laughter] which is good. No bad thing. disagreement man but I think he's to be fair actually Pascal Gross right has he improved or is he being spotlight spotlighted more because Brian already succeeding I think he's always been one of the most >> he's always been a good player but he's for me the best player in the Premier League so far this season I think if you had to pick your player of the season right now it's him the way he ran the game against Arsenal for example in the most recent Premier League game that we had was just outstanding he's 35 years old he's as slow as Rickme he should be playing the 2000s [laughter] not in 2026 you see what I mean he's of number 10 really and for him to to be that good so far in the league I just thought wow okay and I know it's a >> at his age now you're right he was at Dortmund he's played in Champions League he played for Germany all of that but I still I didn't expect him to be at that level this season that's >> I think that's a fair point actually we wouldn't to call him one of the best players in the premier of this season he's actually joint most goal involvements in the Prem this season um to in assists third highest score in the Prem but also everything he does on the pitch you mentioned the Arsenal performance he's had such a complete start to the season for I'm not going to lie, for me, Pascal Gross has been that guy. I I think I saw this this compilation on social media last week or two weeks ago, and it was Pascal Gross versus the Premier League's >> big [laughter] 26 goal contribution since he's been in the league. >> Unbelievable. >> This guy's Man United's worst enemy, Arsenal. He's been doing it for years now. So, I I agree. I mean, obviously, this year, he's being spotted more. The numbers, too, are ridiculous. But I think when you talk about improvement from the season prior, I looked at Mallister last season and at times when you looked at him, he almost felt like the representation of how badly Liverpool had fell off last year to the point that they almost pulled out of contract negotiations. He was speaking about that earlier in the season. >> They don't Yeah, they don't have >> But he's playing for a contract. >> I think he's playing for a contract. The way it's it's going, I think he'll get that contract cuz I do think you look at his start of the season, obviously started off the bench in the first few games, but broke into the team, now started scoring big goals again. And I think he looks back to his best, Alexis Mallister. He's at his best. I think he's one of the best midfielders in the league. >> Nowhere near his best. I don't think so. >> I think the last few games >> got far too much football in recent years. I think he would leave. And I think the fact that Liverpool haven't offered him yet a new contract is because I don't think they really believe that he can get back to that level. >> I personally think decent arguments for both forward, but for me, >> Pascal, >> Pascal Gross, if if we don't have him in there's still an improvement area to his game because he's been one of the best players in the league. The level he's gone. I think the level he's gone to, we have to have Gross in this. >> So you think Gross has improved more from last season to this? from last season. >> I'm not even listening to you. I'm putting you straight in. This isn't even in the conversation. The best friend in the league. >> One, two, three, four, one. Do you [laughter] want to stop now? >> No, no, we keep going. We keep going. Do you want to stop? We keep going. >> Next up, now there's a bit of debate here about like >> I don't know how you want to do this one name, but where they want to play? >> Wanted to clarify where position Josh King more coming off the rate. He has him more as a number 10. I think he drifts on that. >> Why? Because there's another name you were going to play in the number 10. >> I went for for Martin. Oh, you want me to go for my 10 >> about him at the same time cuz he's also a 10, isn't it? >> Marin Odigard in my eyes, again, you talk about improvement, right? Obviously, as a player, it's not like he's taken a leap in his game that he didn't have before. Yeah, >> that's one way of looking at improvement. Another way of improvement is looking at level, right? The last two seasons for Martin Odigard, I feel like he's almost been a no-show at Arsenal. And I think there were big conversations last season in particular about whether maybe the project had almost surpassed him, right? Do they need to look for a new number 10 as they came in? But I look at the way he started this year and I think you're talking about best players in the Premier League. I would put Martigard in those conversations and I think there's a direct correlation to the style that Arsenal play in, how free flowing they look and when this guy is clicking because when he's at his best this guy's the conductor of the orchestra. >> Yeah, he's top Arsenal top scoring in all comps. Already scored more Premier League goals this season than he did last season. I know he had periods injured but improvement loads less games but that is a big improvement as you say. >> You got Josh. >> Yeah, because my issue my issue I I thought when we prepared for this show I thought it was like improved in the sense of the best level they've ever played kind of thing. And all my picks are like they've reached levels that they've never reached before. Other guards two seasons ago was an incredible player. One of the best in the world three years ago. >> So now or three years ago even if you want to. So now you're thinking that he's not at that level yet, but he still has improved a bit. I just think we should go for Josh King for example who is so much better. This is the best football Josh King has ever played. I know he's only still young. He's 19, but again for me he won't be far at some point to an English collab. I think he's an incredible talent. can play a bit on the on the right or on the left like like Leas has put him in, but for me 10 is his best position. And when you see him play, the energy, the the speed that he has, the quick feet that he has, he's just a yeah, wonderful talent. And I think he's been playing really well this season for a Fulham team that suits hi