5 players who are back to their best this season
Players who find themselves out of form during one season can often make a remarkable comeback in the next.
Several factors contribute to this resurgence. First and foremost is hard work and dedication. Players who are willing to put in the extra effort through rigorous training and practice can sharpen their skills and regain their confidence.
The support and guidance of coaches and teammates also play a crucial role in helping players bounce back to their best. A positive team environment and constructive feedback can boost a player's morale.
Mental resilience is vital when it comes to this. Players must learn to manage the psychological aspects of the game, such as handling pressure and anxiety. Additionally, adapting to changing conditions, both on and off the field, can help players rediscover their best form.
Sometimes, players unlock their best form when they move to a new club. Other times, it can happen with a managerial change. It could also be facilitated by a change in personnel around the player during the transfer window.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five players who are back to their best this season.
#5 Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid)
Saul Niguez has made a surprising return to form in the early stages of the 2023-24 season. After a thoroughly forgettable loan spell at Chelsea in the 2021-22 season and a string of underwhelming performances last term, it looked like the time was right for Saul to explore his options away from Europe.
However, the once-promising central midfielder kept his head down, reportedly turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, and worked hard in training. It has paid dividends for him this term. Saul took advantage of Atletico's numerous injury problems to integrate himself into Atletico's starting lineup.
He has provided five assists in nine La Liga appearances for the Rojiblancos so far this season. In doing so, Saul has now become a regular starter for Diego Simeone's side.
#4 Raheem Sterling (Chelsea)
Raheem Sterling was an early bloomer. He was tearing it up for Liverpool as a teenager before moving to Manchester City and becoming one of their most important attackers under Pep Guardiola.
However, following his move to Chelsea in the summer of 2022, it started to look like the Englishman's best years were behind him. Sterling struggled at Stamford Bridge in the 2022-23 season and fans and pundits filed it as signs of an early decline.
But it would have been too unfair to judge Sterling on the basis of his performances last term as Chelsea have been as dysfunctional a unit as any over the past several years. Sterling has made a return to form this term and has been the Blues' most impactful attacker in the early stages of the new season.
In nine Premier League appearances, the 28-year-old has scored three goals and provided one assist.
#3 James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)
It has been evident for several years now that James Maddison has the quality to be playing for one of the Premier League 'Big 6' clubs. Following Leicester City's relegation to the Championship, Maddison arrived at Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Spurs had been crying out loud for some inspiration and creativity in the attacking third and Maddison has shown up with bucketloads of it. The 26-year-old has helped transform Spurs into one of the most potent attacking forces in the English top-flight
He is back to his best and his sensational form in the early stages of the 2023-24 season has played a crucial role in placing Spurs at the top of the Premier League table right now. In nine Premier League appearances so far this season, Maddison has scored three goals and provided five assists.
#2 Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
Son Heung-min has been one of the best forwards in the Premier League in recent times. He shared a wonderful partnership with Harry Kane and they were arguably the most exciting attacking duo in the Premier League up until the end of the 2021-22 season.
Son shared the Premier League Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah that season, scoring 23 goals in the competition. However, he suffered a dip in form last term and things were only expected to get worse as Kane left for Bayern Munich this summer.
But in rather surprising fashion, Son has now made an emphatic return to form. The 31-year-old has scored seven goals and provided one assist in nine Premier League appearances so far this season for the Lilywhites.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
Cristiano Ronaldo was in poor form for Manchester United in the first half of the 2022-23 season. Things soured between Ronaldo and Manchester United as he subsequently undermined the club and the manager Erik ten Hag in an interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo copped a move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr in January 2023 and returned to form in the slightly less competitive environment of the Middle East. But at the age of 38, the Portuguese legend was expected to start winding down his career in a rather quiet fashion this season.
However, that's not how things have gone down this term. Ronaldo has been firing on all cylinders for club and country of late. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in 13 appearances across all competitions for Al-Nassr so far this season.
He has also scored braces in his last two appearances for Portugal in the 2024 Euro qualifiers.