Premier League Awards (Part 3): Best Improvement, Best Save, Best Revival and Best Manager
The Premier League 2024-25 season delivered a spectrum of compelling narratives, from player transformations to managerial masterclasses. As the dust settles, several individuals stand out for their remarkable contributions: Ryan Gravenberch as the most improved player, Emiliano Martínez for the season’s finest save, Chris Wood for his veteran resurgence, and Arne Slot for a historic managerial debut.
Each of these award winners left an indelible mark on the campaign. Here, we celebrate their achievements.
You can also read Part 1 and Part 2 of our Premier League awards.
Most Improved Player: Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch’s journey from the periphery to the core of Liverpool’s title-winning side is a study in reinvention and resilience. After a muted debut campaign in 2023-24 following his move from Bayern Munich, Gravenberch faced questions about his fit in English football and Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane system.
Starting only 12 games under Klopp, Gravenberch had a slow introduction to life at Anfield. However, the club’s landscape shifted dramatically when Klopp announced his departure in January, sparking uncertainty over the futures of many players, including Gravenberch.
Enter Arne Slot. The incoming manager, alongside new sporting director Richard Hughes, identified midfield as an area requiring both structure and creativity. Their original transfer target, Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi, remained unavailable, prompting Slot to turn his attention inward.
Gravenberch, previously deployed as a No. 8, was tested in the No. 6 role during pre-season. The results were transformative. Not only did he adapt, but he thrived. Slot’s system demanded a conductor and anchor in midfield – and Gravenberch delivered.
Before December had even arrived, he led Europe’s top leagues in tackles and interceptions. By season’s end, the 23-year-old topped the Premier League charts for midfielders in interceptions and ranked within the top four for possessions won, possessions regained in the final third, successful passes, and ball carries.
His evolution was key to Liverpool’s consistency and their eventual title triumph. Gravenberch became the beating heart of the team, linking defence to attack and anchoring the midfield with both physicality and intelligence.
For a player previously criticised for inconsistency, Gravenberch’s improvement was astonishing. His story is a testament to adaptability, perseverance, and the importance of the right managerial vision.
Save of the Season: Emiliano Martínez (Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa, 14 December)
Though Aston Villa ultimately succumbed to a last-gasp defeat against Nottingham Forest in December, Emiliano Martínez produced a save of monumental proportions – one that rightly earns the accolade of Save of the Season.
In a tense encounter at the City Ground, the match turned on a moment of brilliance from the World Cup-winning goalkeeper. The first half was uneventful, but the second half ignited in drama.
In the 59th minute, Forest earned a corner. Elliot Anderson delivered an inswinger, which was flicked on by Morgan Gibbs-White to Nicolás Domínguez. The Argentine midfielder headed the ball goalward through a forest of players.
As the home crowd erupted in celebration, assuming the ball had crossed the line, it was Martínez who had other plans. With reflexes as sharp as a cat, he clawed the ball away with one hand, defying logic and physics.
The disbelief on Domínguez’s face said it all. Even Forest’s fans had begun celebrating. But Martínez had delivered a world-class moment – the kind of save that goalkeepers dream of and strikers dread.
Emi Martinez’s SUPER SAVE v Nottingham Forest! – YouTube
It was a pivotal moment in the match, and though Villa ultimately lost in stoppage time, Martínez’s save remains etched in memory as an example of elite goalkeeping. His agility, timing, and anticipation made it a true masterpiece.
For all the acrobatic saves seen this season, none matched the sheer improbability and significance of Martínez’s intervention. It was a save that underscored his status as one of the best goalkeepers in world football.
Best Revival Award: Chris Wood, Nottingham Forest
Few players epitomise experience, grit, and late-career resurgence quite like Chris Wood. The 33-year-old striker enjoyed a remarkable season with Nottingham Forest, finishing with 20 goals and three assists – a tally made even more impressive by the team’s limited possession-based style.
Wood’s contributions were not just statistical. He provided Forest with a reliable focal point in attack, using his physicality and footballing intelligence to exploit every opportunity. While other strikers rely on pace or flair, Wood’s game is grounded in positioning, anticipation, and unwavering commitment.
In October, Wood made history as the first player from both Forest and New Zealand to win the Premier League’s Player of the Month award. By January, his importance was cemented with a new two-year contract.
His impact went beyond goals. Wood embodied a throwback style of play, eschewing the trappings of modern footballing culture in favour of hard work and consistency. His persona on the pitch drew comparisons to vintage athletes – a 1950s boxer in boots.
Forest’s qualification for European competition would not have been possible without Wood’s efforts. He was a cornerstone of their attacking strategy and a constant threat to opposition defences.
In a season where youth and flair often grab headlines, Wood’s success served as a reminder of the enduring value of experience and resilience. He truly was the ultimate antidote to short-lived hype.
Manager of the Season: Arne Slot, Liverpool
While several managers impressed during the 2024-25 campaign, none could match the achievement of Arne Slot. In his first season in the Premier League – and his debut campaign with Liverpool – the Dutchman led the club to a league title, all while orchestrating a seamless transition from Jurgen Klopp’s era.
Slot inherited a squad shaped by Klopp’s heavy metal football and immediately set about implementing his own tactical vision. Remarkably, he did so without any major signings, save for a lacklustre Federico Chiesa. The club’s core remained intact, but key contract renewals – including Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk – added complexity to his task.
Yet Slot rose to the occasion. His approach prioritised control, positional discipline, and smart transitions. The results spoke volumes: Liverpool lost only three league games all season, boasted the best attacking record, and held the second-best defensive record.
Critics may argue that Liverpool capitalised on rivals’ issues – notably Manchester City’s injury woes – but titles are earned through consistency. Slot delivered just that, guiding the team with poise and precision.
Moreover, Slot demonstrated a remarkable ability to improve players. He transformed Ryan Gravenberch into a defensive lynchpin, revitalised Salah’s attacking output, and brought the best out of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Liverpool never relinquished top spot after November, a feat that highlights their sustained excellence. Slot’s man-management, tactical acumen, and quiet authority proved decisive.
For his extraordinary debut season, Arne Slot rightly claims the title of Manager of the Season. His work laid the foundation for a new Liverpool era, built on both continuity and innovation.
Conclusion
The Premier League 2024-25 season will be remembered for its blend of evolution and excellence. Ryan Gravenberch redefined himself to become a midfield general. Emiliano Martínez delivered the save of a lifetime. Chris Wood turned back the clock to lead Forest to Europe. And Arne Slot announced his arrival with a league title.
Together, these stories paint a picture of a league where growth, resilience, and brilliance coexist. As the season draws to a close, the contributions of these figures will be celebrated long after the final whistle.