Arsenal frontman among Premier League stars enjoying post-World Cup flourish

The World Cup came at a good time for many players as they sought to get their form back on track. As such, we take a look at those who have enjoyed the biggest rating increase from before and after Qatar 2022 looking at those to have made at least 10 appearances before the tournament and eight appearances since domestic duties got back underway in December. 

10. Antontee Robinson - Fulham 

Fulham have been one of the surprise packages this season, with full-backs Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson key in the Cottagers' unlikely European pursuit. Sour scenes at Old Trafford means they will be without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic for a lenghty period, potentially until the end of the season, but with Tete and Robinson impressing, the defence will remain steadfast. And following World Cup heartache, the latter returned to domestic duties with a point to prove having seen his WhoScored rating rising from 6.56 to 6.99, that the 10th best positive rating difference in the Premier League. 

9. Dwight McNeil - Everton 

Sean Dyche took over at Everton at the end of January, which is part of the reason for Dwight McNeil's rating increase, the winger impressing under his former Burnley boss since he succeeded Frank Lampard at Goodison Park. Three of the five goals McNeil has been involved in this season have come in the months following the World Cup, while six of his eight best rated displays have been since Qatar 2022. As such, McNeil's rating has increased by 0.44 since domestic duties resumed back in December. 

8. Pervis Estupinan - Brighton 

Brought in as Marc Cucurella's replacement following his big money move to Chelsea, Pervis Estupinan has been a superb capture by Brighton. Like Robinson, Estupinan returned from the World Cup with a point to prove after Ecuador's group stage exit, and the left-back has been doing just that. All three league assists this season have come after Qatar 2022 and despite the disappointment of an early World Cup departure, Estupinan's WhoScored rating has risen by 0.50. 

7. Jarrod Bowen - West Ham 

Having received his first England caps during the UEFA Nations League last summer, Jarrod Bowen was left out of Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad, but that has proven a blessing for the West Ham forward. Bowen's failed to hit the heights of previous seasons, but of the six goals he has directly contributed to, four have come after the World Cup. West Ham may be struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table, however the 26-year-old has been doing all he can to haul the Hammers away from danger, noted in a rating improvement of 0.50. 

6. Ollie Watkins - Aston Villa 

One who was unfortunate to miss out on an England place for the March internationals, Ollie Watkins has been a goal machine for Aston Villa following the World Cup. Of the nine goals he scored in the Premier League this season, seven have come in the months following football's showpiece, with Watkins thriving on the Villa frontline, particularly in the wake of Danny Ings' move to West Ham. Indeed, the Villans hitman has seen his WhoScored rating rise by 0.52 since the World Cup. 

5. Marcus Rashford - Manchester United 

Whatever Erik ten Hag said to Marcus Rashford following England's World Cup exit seems to have done the trick. No player has scored more Premier League goals than Rashford (10) since domestic duties resumed on Boxing Day, which is an impressive feat for a player who has scored just 14 league goals this season. The Manchester United forward's WhoScored rating has increased by 0.55 following Qatar 2022, and fans will be hoping that contines to rise when the Premier League resumes next month. 

4. Douglas Luiz - Aston Villa 

The second Aston Villa player on this list, Douglas Luiz, like Watkins, has really come into his own following the World Cup. The appointment of Unai Emery has certainly helped, with Luiz forging a superb partnership alongside Boubacar Kamara in the middle of the park. The Brazilian has been directly involved in five goals following the break, maximising his time on the training pitch to take on Emery's instructions. It shows, too, with Luiz enjoying a WhoScored rating increase of 0.59. 

3. Brennan Johnson - Nottingham Forest 

Brennan Johnson was included in the Wales squad for Qatar 2022, yet his three appearances all came off the bench as the Dragons exited the competition at the group stages. With a mini-break following the early trip home, Johnson has improved his record in front of goal, with the Nottingham Forest star scoring five and assisting two in 12 appearances following the World Cup. A key man in Forest's quest for survival, the 21-year-old is living up to the billing with his WhoScored rating improving by 0.67. 

2. Eddie Nketiah - Arsenal 

Arsenal were dealt a blow when it was confirmed Gabriel Jesus had sustained a serious injury in Qatar, one he has only recently returned from. Nevertheless, the Gunners needn't have fretted, with Eddie Nketiah shouldering the attacking burden impressively in Jesus' absence. Admittedly, Nketiah's huge rating rise of 0.82 is partly down to his increase in minutes, but the Arsenal star as performed admirably when needed having scored four and provided one assist. 

1. Solly March - Brighton 

Up until Boxing Day, Solly March had mustered the most shots without a goal in the Premier League this season. Since returning to league action, however, March has been superb. The Brighton star mustered just two assists prior to Qatar 2022, yet once the season got back underway, the Seagulls star shone, scoring seven and providing two assists across 11 appearances. A key man in Brighton's push for European football, a WhoScored rating rise of 0.89 is the biggest in the Premier League from before and after the World Cup.