Not too sure if this discussion has been had recently, and if so then my bad. But I just wanted to discuss with you guys just who you believe has improved most in the last year or so. So what better way than compiling a make believe team?!?! Well please chime in, and I'm including mostly players from the bigger leagues, but I know I'll forget plenty and there are many players across the world who definitely deserve a shout so by all means, give yours!

(4-3-3)
GK: Neuer
RB: Cristian Zapata
CBs: Thiago Silva, Mats Hummels
LB: Eric Abidal
CM: Mesut Ozil
DM: Jack Wilshere
CM: Thiago
RW: Salomon Rondon
ST: Chicharito
LW: Neymar

Bench (partial): Falcao, Subotic, Pepe.

Reasons:
Neuer, for obvious reasons, he's not just improving, but slowly becoming one the best.

Zapata can pretty much play anywhere, and although he's been consistent this season he might move to a bigger club and I'm excited to see him in the Copa America.

Thiago Silva is similiar to Neuer, just had a beastly season

I chose Hummels because of their success this last season, but both him and subotic have improved

Abidal had by far his best season, albeit as mostly a CB, but showed that he can be a world class player in defense.

Ozil, although not primarily a CM, I would use as an AM as he too has become a much better player than last season.

Wilshere had a breakout season, gave Barca a run for our money and is too young to not keep improving.

Thiago is another youngster who looks to live up to every bit of hype he is getting, has incredible skill and is still lighting it up with Spain's U-21, and I'm proud to say he is one of our players.

Rondon was not too well known last year, but this year he did well and finished as one of La Liga's top scorers, and another who we will see this July in the Copa America.

Chicharito, I don't have to say anything, but I will say that he has the potential to be a true legend. Already 21 goals with 20 Apps. in the NT, and doing great at Man Utd, if he keeps it up there's no telling how high he can reach.

And Neymar, although he has been pretty hyped for a while, he has certainly improved and looks to keep doing so.

That's my XI.

GK: Neuer
RB: Kelly
CBs: Djourou, Mats Hummels
LB: Marcelo
CM: Gotze/Sahin
DM: Leiva
CM: Wilshere
RW: Nani
ST: Benzema (Not really improved, more found his quality from his Lyon days)
LW: Ozil

A most improved player would have to go from being absolute shite to good/very good.

Ozil was a beast before R.M ffs.

Seppuku wrote:A most improved player would have to go from being absolute shite to good/very good.

Ozil was a beast before R.M ffs.

Well perhaps, but I meant more as in the last 12 months or so, who has gotten a lot better than they were then. Or in other words, who has had the biggest leap in form in the last year. I know its subjective, but absolute shit is a bit harsh. Who do you think should be included?

ynwa wrote:GK: Neuer
RB: Kelly
CBs: Djourou, Mats Hummels
LB: Marcelo
CM: Gotze/Sahin
DM: Leiva
CM: Wilshere
RW: Nani
ST: Benzema (Not really improved, more found his quality from his Lyon days)
LW: Ozil

Marcelo deserves a shout for sure, bar all the clasico drama, he has improved an awful lot on the pitch.

Djourou could easily slot into this line-up as well, though out of Sahin and Wilshere I went for Jack simply because Sahin was already a good player, though without hype, though players like Wilshere and Bender have the luxury of being young and prone to sudden breakouts.

dostoevsky wrote:

Neuer

Abate---Zapata---Hummels---Marcelo

S. Bender---Vidal---Wilshere

Kagawa

Cavani---Suarez

Djourou could easily slot into this line-up as well, though out of Sahin and Wilshere I went for Jack simply because Sahin was already a good player, though without hype, though players like Wilshere and Bender have the luxury of being young and prone to sudden breakouts.

I almost included Suarez, but only didn't because he has been good for Liverpool in such a short time, but in the games that I saw (like 3 or 4), just hadn't done enough for me. But really good choices.

barca 2011 wrote:

Well perhaps, but I meant more as in the last 12 months or so, who has gotten a lot better than they were then. Or in other words, who has had the biggest leap in form in the last year. I know its subjective, but absolute shit is a bit harsh. Who do you think should be included?

umm lets think of it as a scale of 0-10 with 0= shit player, and 10=CR7/Messi caliber.

Ask any regular watcher of the Bundesliga and they'd tell you Ozil was easily a "7" back then, and we've all seen him in WC and Ozil was unquestionably one of the outstanding players of that tournament with an easy "8". So how much would you rate him now? 9? That's not much of an improvement really.

Now lets look at another player. Marcelo. Ask any La Liga/ R.M fan and they will surely tell you he was a flunk last season. Giving him a "2" would've been highly gracious. Ask the same people about his performances this year and you will not get anyone rating him below a "6". I personally would give him a "7".

So IMO Marcelo fits the "most improved" criteria. Ozil doesn't (not to say he hasn't improved, but he was already a brilliant player).

dostoevsky wrote:

Neuer

Abate---Zapata---Hummels---Marcelo

S. Bender---Vidal---Wilshere

Kagawa

Cavani---Suarez

Djourou could easily slot into this line-up as well, though out of Sahin and Wilshere I went for Jack simply because Sahin was already a good player, though without hype, though players like Wilshere and Bender have the luxury of being young and prone to sudden breakouts.

I can get behind this other than the addition of Suarez. Sow of Lille would be a better option, imo.

I would only make a few changes to your formation:

(4-3-3)
GK: Neuer
RB: Cristian Zapata
CBs: Thiago Silva, Eric Abidal
LB: Marcelo
CM: Lucas
DM: Vidal
CM: Jack Wilshere
RW: Nani
ST: Chicharito
LW: Salomon Rondon

Seppuku wrote:

barca 2011 wrote:

Well perhaps, but I meant more as in the last 12 months or so, who has gotten a lot better than they were then. Or in other words, who has had the biggest leap in form in the last year. I know its subjective, but absolute shit is a bit harsh. Who do you think should be included?

umm lets think of it as a scale of 0-10 with 0= shit player, and 10=CR7/Messi caliber.

Ask any regular watcher of the Bundesliga and they'd tell you Ozil was easily a "7" back then, and we've all seen him in WC and Ozil was unquestionably one of the outstanding players of that tournament with an easy "8". So how much would you rate him now? 9? That's not much of an improvement really.

Now lets look at another player. Marcelo. Ask any La Liga/ R.M fan and they will surely tell you he was a flunk last season. Giving him a "2" would've been highly gracious. Ask the same people about his performances this year and you will not get anyone rating him below a "6". I personally would give him a "7".

So IMO Marcelo fits the "most improved" criteria. Ozil doesn't (not to say he hasn't improved, but he was already a brilliant player).

Ok, and I felt that a bit when I though of him as one of the XI, but IMO he has gotten a lot better, but I see your point. But who are your choices?

Wait, what?

Sorry, that's meant to be Sanchez, not Suarez. Mustn't have been concentrating properly.

dostoevsky wrote: Wait, what?

Sorry, that's meant to be Sanchez, not Suarez. Mustn't have been concentrating properly.

Ahh, I see, lol. It happens!

Neuer

Abate--Zapata--T.Silva--Marcelo

Melo

Hazard--Wilshere--Sanchez

Cavani------Chicharito

LB eric abidal?lol?

GK:De Gea
RB:?
CBs: Thiago Silva, Mats Hummels
LB:Marcelo
CM: Mesut Ozil
DM: Jack Wilshere
CM: Mata
RW: Iniesta(i dont know about you guys,but i think he improved this season)
ST:Eto
LW: Neymar

Ganso I don't think Eto'o should be there tbh.

well,i just think he was better than last season.Couldnt really find a ST who got better in the past season.Chicharito is just the same as before,only difference is he has better player behind him now and hes in the big stage

neuer, really? i'm pretty sure he was considered top class before

guaita on the other hand, from being third choice to, for example, great performances at bernabeu and old trafford separated by two days...

Szcezny (however you spell his name) and fabianski(despite losing his place).

EarlyPrototype wrote:Szcezny (however you spell his name) and fabianski(despite losing his place).

I might've gone with Chesny had it not been for his injury.

Marcelo?

Neuer didn't really improve that much. He's just gotten tons more publicity after Schalke's CL run.

Fabianski was IMO the most improved GK up until his injury.

Rondón is such an amazing player. Thanks guys for giving him love.

How everyone thinks that Neuer improved more than Fabianski did is just beyond me..

Thiago Silva is getting mentioned so i'm cool with this