Most Improved Player

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

In the last 5 years?

Just mentioning my thoughts on the England defensive pairing got me thinking on this.

For me it has to be Jamie Carragher. A player i used to really think was average at best but then last season onwards till present he has been an absolute rock at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

Oozes class now. Comfortable on the ball, will battle through every game and is as consistent as they come. Really great to see how far this player has come from the player i remember.

Other notable one would be Lampard too.

Who would yours be?

[mrmuzeman]

Rooney, hes a lot better now than he was when he was 15

Your examples are good ones. Lampard probably the most, turned from just a decent midfielder into world class quality.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Yeah Lampard would've probably been one but i haven't really seen his rise as such because i didnt really follow him closely at West Ham so i am not one to really pass much judgement there.

In the SPL i would say this is easy and Stillian Petrov by an absolute mile. Came to the club in the Barnes era i think it was and was an absolute mug at the time. Seemed terrified when on the ball.

But he has fully grown into the potential he had and is now an outstanding player and the best in the SPL. Perfect midfielder with a great engine for defending and scores his fair share too.

Was very glad to hear he had signed a new contract

[slick]

Most improved player for me is Joe Cole, he's took the mistakes out of his game and is now looking the part.

All eyes this world cup will be on Rooney and co and rightly so, leaving an opening for Cole.
I expect him to be a big surprise at these championships as he's largely unknown and i have a sneaky feeling he is going to make a mark here in a big way.

Lampard has come on as i expected and Carragher well he's Carragher and plays with his heart, i'd say he's got stronger rather than better.

[all_funkt_up]

Fat Frank has to be up there with the most improved players for sure.... He was always ok but has become an outstanding player. No doubt through hard work and constant training. He seems a bit like beckham to me, the talent hasnt come naturally - its like he has had to work damn hard to get as good as he is.

I will let other people sing Carra's praises as I do it often enough.

Gerrard too has come on leaps and bounds. He was a promising player fair enough, but to have been arguably the MVP in Europe last year is outstanding. Good in many positions too, versatile - the most complete player in the game. Ever. Ever ever ever....

[zonker84]

Kevin Nolan, very unlucky not to have been involved with England as of yet, when you consider some of the people given caps in the past few years.

John Terry if you're talking last 5 years. When Steve Bruce was in charge of Huddersfield, Chelsea had agreed to sell him to Huddersfield for £750,000. The deal collapsed at the very last minute, so things could've turned out very differently for him.

Kolo Toure, signed as an unknown by Arsene Wenger, and when he first signed he was playing all over the place, in midfield, at right back and so on. I thought he looked useless to be honest, but has gone on to become a very good central defender. I think he would be better off long-term at right-back to replace Lauren, with Arsenal signing another central defender, but that's another story.

[Burt Saddo]

I would go along with John Terry also.

[Jesus]

It has to be Frank Lampard....he used to be an average player and is now the best midfielder in the premiership!

Some others could be....Paul Robinson or even Michael Carrick.

[Gaz Stod]

Lampard, J Cole and Terry are all good shouts, I cant think of anyone whos improved aswell as them over the last couple of years. Jesus, Gerrard is the best midfielder in the Premiership.